The spelling of the word "cuneator" can be confusing for those unfamiliar with its origins. The word is derived from the Latin word "cuneatus," meaning "wedge-shaped or pointed." The American English pronunciation of the word is /kjuːˈniːətər/, where the "cu" sound is pronounced like "queue" and the "ea" sounds like "nee." The emphasis is on the second syllable. Cuneator refers to a person who inserts wedges into something to stabilize it or make it level.