Angle brackets are a type of punctuation mark that consists of two symmetrical triangular brackets. They are used in various contexts, including mathematics, programming, and linguistics. In this article, we will define and explore the meaning of angle brackets, their origin, and their associations.
Definitions
Angle brackets are a pair of punctuation marks that have a triangular shape. They are also known as chevrons, guillemets, or angle quotes. They are used to enclose text or symbols to indicate a specific meaning or context.
In mathematics, angle brackets are used to denote the inner product of two vectors. In programming, they are used to enclose tags in HTML and XML code. In linguistics, they are used to indicate a quotation or citation.
Origin
The origin of angle brackets can be traced back to the 16th century, where they were used as quotation marks in French printing. They were known as guillemets, named after the French printer Guillaume Le Bé. They were later adopted by other European languages, including English.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, angle brackets are defined as “a pair of marks used to enclose a section of writing or printing to separate it from the main text.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines angle brackets as “a pair of marks used in writing or printing to enclose a word or group of words.”
Associations
Angle brackets are associated with various fields, including mathematics, programming, and linguistics. In mathematics, they are used to denote the inner product of two vectors. In programming, they are used to enclose tags in HTML and XML code. In linguistics, they are used to indicate a quotation or citation.
Synonyms
Angle brackets are also known as chevrons, guillemets, or angle quotes. These terms are often used interchangeably, depending on the context.
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms of angle brackets, as they are a specific type of punctuation mark. However, other types of punctuation marks, such as parentheses or quotation marks, can be used in place of angle brackets in certain contexts.
The same root words
The root words of angle brackets are “angle” and “bracket.” “Angle” refers to the shape of the brackets, which are triangular. “Bracket” refers to a support or fixture used to hold something in place.
Example Sentences
Here are some example sentences that use angle brackets:
- In mathematics, the inner product of two vectors is denoted by
- In HTML code, tags are enclosed in angle brackets, such as
for paragraphs or
for images.
- In linguistics, a citation is indicated by enclosing the quoted text in angle brackets, such as