Definition

Noun: 1. An angle pointing outward: A salient angle is an angle that projects outward from a surface or a figure. It is the opposite of a re-entrant angle, which points inward. 2. An interior angle of a polygon that is less than 180 degrees: In geometry, a salient angle is an interior angle of a polygon that measures less than a straight angle (180°). All interior angles of a convex polygon are salient.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The fortress was designed with salient angles to provide defenders with a better field of fire.
  • In a regular pentagon, every interior angle is a salient angle of 108 degrees.
  • The star shape has both salient angles at its points and re-entrant angles between them.

Advanced Usage

• In fortification: The term is historically significant in military architecture. A "salient" is a battlefield feature or part of a defensive wall that projects outward toward the enemy. The angles forming this projection are salient angles.
  • The troops were vulnerable to attack from three sides while defending the salient angle of the trench.

Variants and Related Words

• Salient (adjective): Most noticeable or important; projecting outward. The noun "salient angle" derives from this geometric sense of "projecting."
  • He summarized the salient points of the lecture.
• Re-entrant angle (noun): The opposite of a salient angle; an interior angle of a polygon that is greater than 180 degrees, or an angle that points inward.
• Convex polygon (noun): A polygon in which all interior angles are salient angles (less than 180°).

Synonyms

• Convex angle: An angle less than 180 degrees. (Note: This is a general geometric term, while "salient angle" is often used in specific contexts like fortification.)
• Projecting angle: A descriptive synonym emphasizing the outward-pointing nature.

Antonyms

• Re-entrant angle: An interior angle greater than 180 degrees; an inward-pointing angle.
• Concave angle: An angle that is part of a concave indentation.

Noun

1. an angle pointing outward; an interior angle of a polygon that is less than 180 degrees