Cuplike

Cuplike is a descriptive term used to denote objects or structures that resemble a cup in shape. A cuplike form typically features a concave interior and a rim, creating a hollow or bowl-like profile. The term is used across disciplines to communicate morphology without implying a shared function or origin.

Etymology and scope: Cuplike is formed from the noun cup plus the suffix -like. It is applied in fields such as biology, geology, and materials science to describe three‑dimensional forms that are bowl- or cup-shaped. It is a broad, nontechnical descriptor that focuses on appearance rather than mechanism.

Examples by field: In biology and botany, cuplike describes structures such as cup-shaped receptacles, calyces, or nectaries, and may also refer to cupule-like coverings around seeds or fruit. In mycology, cup fungi produce cup-shaped fruiting bodies called apothecia, with genera such as Peziza serving as examples. In geology and geomorphology, cuplike basins or depressions describe bowl-shaped hollows in rocks or landscapes, which can form through erosion, weathering, or impact processes. In materials science and microscopy, cuplike voids or pores describe similar concave, bowl-like geometries at micro- or nano-scales.

Related terms and usage: Related descriptors include cupliform (cup-shaped) and cupulate (having cup-like features). Cuplike remains a general morphological descriptor used to communicate shape in taxonomic descriptions, anatomical discussions, and structural analyses without asserting function.