crown point: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Technical
Quick answer
What does “crown point” mean?
In geometry and crystallography, a vertex (or apex) of a crystal where edges of crystal faces meet at the highest point relative to the base.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In geometry and crystallography, a vertex (or apex) of a crystal where edges of crystal faces meet at the highest point relative to the base; in navigation, a prominent headland.
1. The highest or culminating point of an object or structure, such as the peak of a roof or a mountain summit. 2. In fortification and surveying, a specific type of measurement point related to triangulation and establishing boundaries.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning, but 'Crown Point' as a proper noun refers to several specific geographical locations in the UK (e.g., a district in Bradford) and the US (e.g., a town and historical fort in New York State).
Connotations
In American English, 'Crown Point' strongly connotes the 18th-century British fort on Lake Champlain, a key site in the French and Indian War and American Revolution.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to historical place names. In both dialects, the common noun phrase is low-frequency technical jargon.
Grammar
How to Use “crown point” in a Sentence
The surveyor established a crown point [prepositional phrase: on the hill].The geologist identified the crown point [prepositional phrase: of the quartz specimen].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crown point” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The expedition aimed to crown point the ridge for the new ordinance survey.
American English
- The survey team needed to crown point the highest accessible peak in the county.
adverb
British English
- None standard.
American English
- None standard.
adjective
British English
- The crown-point measurement was crucial for the map's accuracy.
American English
- They consulted the crown-point data from the geological survey.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Could metaphorically refer to the peak of a market cycle or a company's performance.
Academic
Used in geology, crystallography, and history papers. E.g., 'The crystal's morphology was analyzed from the crown point downwards.'
Everyday
Virtually unused in everyday conversation.
Technical
Standard term in land surveying (for a high triangulation point) and in descriptive mineralogy.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crown point”
- Using 'crown point' as a fancy synonym for any 'top' (e.g., 'the crown point of the building' sounds odd). Confusing it with 'crowning point' (a metaphorical culmination).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a common noun phrase, it is two words ('crown point'). As a proper noun for a place, it is capitalized and often treated as a single name ('Crown Point').
No, that would be a mistake. The idiomatic phrase is 'crowning glory' or 'pinnacle'. 'Crown point' does not have this metaphorical meaning.
As a proper noun referring to the historic fort and town in New York State, USA, or other towns named after it.
It is primarily a noun. Verb use (e.g., 'to crown point a hill') is highly technical jargon from surveying/historical contexts and is not standard.
In geometry and crystallography, a vertex (or apex) of a crystal where edges of crystal faces meet at the highest point relative to the base.
Crown point is usually formal, technical in register.
Crown point: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkraʊn ˈpɔɪnt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkraʊn ˈpɔɪnt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly from this compound noun.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a king's CROWN sitting on the highest POINT of his head. A 'crown point' is the highest point, like the jewel atop a crown.
Conceptual Metaphor
HEIGHT IS STATUS / IMPORTANCE (The crown point is the most important/reference point for measurement).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'crown point' a standard technical term?