perpendicular

[ pur-puhn-dik-yuh-ler ]

adjective

1. vertical; straight up and down; upright.

   Synonyms: standing

2. Geometry. meeting a given line or surface at right angles.
3. maintaining a standing or upright position; standing up.
4. having a sharp pitch or slope; steep.
5. (initial capital letter) noting or pertaining to the last style of English Gothic architecture, prevailing from the late 14th through the early 16th century and characterized by the use of predominantly vertical tracery, an overall linear, shallow effect, and fine intricate stonework.

noun

1. a perpendicular line or plane.
2. an instrument for indicating the vertical line from any point.
3. an upright position.
4. a sharply pitched or precipitously steep mountain face.
5. moral virtue or uprightness; rectitude.
6. Nautical. either of two lines perpendicular to the keel line, base line, or designed water line of a vessel.

perpendicular

/ ˌpɜːpənˈdɪkjʊlə; ˌpɜːpənˌdɪkjʊˈlærɪtɪ /

adjective

1. Alsonormal at right angles to a horizontal plane
2. denoting, relating to, or having the style of Gothic architecture used in England during the 14th and 15th centuries, characterized by tracery having vertical lines, a four-centred arch, and fan vaulting
3. upright; vertical

noun

1. geometry a line or plane perpendicular to another
2. any instrument used for indicating the vertical line through a given point
3. mountaineering a nearly vertical face

perpendicular

/ pûr′pən-dĭk′yə-lər /

Adjective

1. Intersecting at or forming a right angle or right angles.

Noun

1. A line or plane that is perpendicular to a given line or plane.

Derived Forms

• perpendicularity, noun
• ˌperpenˈdicularly, adverb

Other Words From

• perpen·dicu·lari·ty perpen·dicu·lar·ness noun
• perpen·dicu·lar·ly adverb
• nonper·pen·dicu·lar adjective noun
• nonper·pen·dicu·lar·ly adverb
• nonper·pen·dicu·lari·ty noun
• unper·pen·dicu·lar adjective
• unper·pen·dicu·lar·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of perpendicular¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin perpendiculāris “vertical,” equivalent to perpendicul(um) “plumb line” ( perpend ², -i-, -cule ² ) + -āris -ar ¹; replacing Middle English perpendiculer(e) (adjective and adverb), from Old French perpendiculiere

Word History and Origins

Origin of perpendicular¹

C14: from Latin perpendiculāris, from perpendiculum a plumb line, from per- through + pendēre to hang

Synonym Study

See upright.

Example Sentences

In the parish churches, many of which are of great interest, the predominant styles are Decorated and Perpendicular.

From Project Gutenberg

Among the Perpendicular additions to the church last named may be noted a very beautiful oaken rood-screen.

From Project Gutenberg

The water-piston is 10 inches in diameter, drawing and forcing 35 feet perpendicular, equal beam.

From Project Gutenberg

Le Bouton was dominated by a perpendicular rock two thousand feet high.

From Project Gutenberg

They were at the foot of one of the narrow almost perpendicular blocks that rose between Pine and California streets.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• erect
• on end
• plumb