rectilinear
Americanadjective
-
forming a straight line.
-
formed by straight lines.
-
characterized by straight lines.
-
moving in a straight line.
adjective
-
in, moving in, or characterized by a straight line or lines
the rectilinear propagation of light
-
consisting of, bounded by, or formed by a straight line or lines
Other Word Forms
- rectilinearly adverb
Etymology
Origin of rectilinear
1650–60; < Late Latin rēctilīne ( us ) ( rēcti- recti- + līne ( a ) line 1 + -us adj. suffix) + -ar 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“The idea behind Storybook is to have something fanciful and whimsical, which involves movement rather than rectilinear rooms,” Libow said.
From Los Angeles Times
Lowry’s rectilinear buildings suggest immobility beyond time, and urban orderliness without elegance.
Their curves contrast with the angularity of most spaces and depart from the conventional rectilinear profile of sofas.
From Los Angeles Times
The pattern’s strict rectilinear geometry creates a stark contrast with organic facial features, vivifying the otherworldly human form.
From Los Angeles Times
Scholl explains that At Attin features a rectilinear grid plan city center, wrapped by suburbia in a more circular pattern that “is recognizable from space.”
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
