'sharp-cornered' originates from the combination of 'sharp' and 'cornered', where 'sharp' meant 'having a thin edge or point' and 'cornered' referred to 'having corners'.

'Sharp' and 'cornered' have been used in English since the Middle Ages, with 'sharp' deriving from Old English 'scearp' and 'cornered' from Old French 'corniere'.

Initially, 'sharp' meant 'keen or acute', and 'cornered' meant 'having corners'. The combined term 'sharp-cornered' has retained its original meaning.