from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Polygon \Pol"y*gon\, n. [Gr. poly`gwnos polygonal; poly`s many +
gwni`a angle: cf. F. polygone.] (Geom.)
A plane figure having many angles, and consequently many
sides; esp., one whose perimeter consists of more than four
sides; any figure having many angles.
[1913 Webster]
{Polygon of forces} (Mech.), a polygonal figure, the sides of
which, taken successively, represent, in length and
direction, several forces acting simultaneously upon one
point, so that the side necessary to complete the figure
represents the resultant of those forces. Cf.
{Parallelogram of forces}, under {Parallelogram}.
[1913 Webster]