Zwanzigseitige

Zwanzigseitige is an adjective in the German language meaning “having twenty sides.” It is used attributively to describe nouns and declines according to gender, number, and case. For example: ein zwanzigseitiger Würfel (a twenty-sided die), ein zwanzigseitiges Vieleck (a twenty-sided polygon), or eine zwanzigseitige Fläche (a twenty-sided surface). The ending changes with the accompanying article and noun, as is typical for German adjectives.

Common uses and contexts

In geometry, zwanzigseitige Formen occur in two main senses. A twenty-sided polygon is often referred to in German as zwanzigseitiges Vieleck or, more formally, Icosagon. In solid geometry, the term is linked to the regular twenty-faced polyhedron known as the Ikosaeder (Icosahedron), which has 20 triangular faces, 30 edges, and 12 vertices.

In gaming and probability, zwanzigseitige Würfel are widely known as D20 dice, especially in tabletop role-playing games. The D20 is a standard component of many game systems and is typically described in German as a zwanzigseitiger Würfel.

Etymology and usage notes

The word zwanzigseitige derives from zwanzig (twenty) and seitig (sided). Like other German adjectives, its ending varies with article and noun gender: zwanzigseitiges Vieleck, zwanzigseitiger Würfel, zwanzigseitige Fläche, etc. It does not function as a noun itself, but as a descriptive modifier.

See also

Ikosaeder, Icosagon, D20, zwanzigseitiges Vieleck.