Dodecahedron, pronounced as /dəʊˌdɛkəˈhiːdrən/, is a 12-sided polyhedron. It is derived from the Greek words dodeka, meaning "twelve," and hedron, meaning "face." The spelling of this word can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The initial "d" sound is followed by the schwa sound /ə/ and then the voiced "th" sound /ð/. The "e" is pronounced as /ɛ/ and the "a" as /ə/. The ending is a combination of the sounds /hiːdr/ and /ən/.
A dodecahedron is a three-dimensional geometric shape that consists of twelve flat faces, twenty vertices, and thirty edges. It is classified as a platonic solid, meaning it is a regular polyhedron where all the faces are congruent and arranged symmetrically.
The dodecahedron has the unique property of being composed of regular pentagons as its faces. Each pentagon is identical, with five equal sides and five equal angles. These pentagons are arranged in such a way that each face shares an edge with three other faces, resulting in a closed structure with no gaps or overlaps.
Due to its symmetrical nature, the dodecahedron exhibits a high degree of aesthetic appeal and is often used for decorative purposes. It has been admired for centuries for its elegance and perfect symmetrical balance. Additionally, the dodecahedron is found in various scientific and mathematical applications. It is often utilized in crystallography, where its symmetrical properties aid in the study of crystal structures.
The name "dodecahedron" is derived from the Greek words "dodeka," meaning twelve, and "hedra," meaning face. The term accurately reflects the shape's fundamental structure and serves as a precise descriptor for this specific geometrical shape.
A regular solid having twelve equal bases or sides.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "dodecahedron" is derived from the Greek words "dodeka" meaning "twelve" and "hedra" meaning "face" or "base". The combination of these Greek words gives us "dodecahedron", which literally means "twelve-faced". This name is used to describe a polyhedron with twelve flat faces.