perpendicular

[ pur-puhn-dik-yuh-ler ]

/ ˌpɜr pənˈdɪk yə lər /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR perpendicular ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

vertical; straight up and down; upright.

Geometry. meeting a given line or surface at right angles.

maintaining a standing or upright position; standing up.

having a sharp pitch or slope; steep.

(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

a perpendicular line or plane.

an instrument for indicating the vertical line from any point.

an upright position.

a sharply pitched or precipitously steep mountain face.

moral virtue or uprightness; rectitude.

Nautical. either of two lines perpendicular to the keel line, base line, or designed water line of a vessel.

Words nearby perpendicular

peroxysulphuric acid, perp, perp walk, perp., perpend, perpendicular, perpent, perpetrate, perpetrator, perpetual, perpetual adoration

Origin of perpendicular

1350–1400; < Latin perpendiculāris vertical, equivalent to perpendicul(um) plumb line (see perpend², -i-, -cule²) + -āris -ar¹; replacing Middle English perpendiculer(e) (adj. and adv.) < Old French perpendiculiere

SYNONYMS FOR perpendicular

1 standing. See upright.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR perpendicular ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM perpendicular

per·pen·dic·u·lar·i·ty, per·pen·dic·u·lar·ness, nounper·pen·dic·u·lar·ly, adverbnon·per·pen·dic·u·lar, adjective, nounnon·per·pen·dic·u·lar·ly, adverb

non·per·pen·dic·u·lar·i·ty, nounun·per·pen·dic·u·lar, adjectiveun·per·pen·dic·u·lar·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for perpendicularity

In the conscious reasoning of both, however, is the condition of perpendicularity.
The Mystery of Space|Robert T. Browne
Everybody knows that an intramural churchyard has a tendency to enlarge itself—not in area, but in perpendicularity.
Punch - Volume 25 (Jul-Dec 1853)|Various
The old hands take a sidelong view with one eye closed to test the perpendicularity of the stacks.
Scientific American, September 29, 1883 Supplement. No. 404|Various
We are now in a position to explore the fundamental character of perpendicularity.
The Concept of Nature|Alfred North Whitehead

"I see," added Graines, tumbling over, but regaining his perpendicularity with a trying effort.
A Victorious Union|Oliver Optic

British Dictionary definitions for perpendicularity

perpendicular

/ (ˌpɜːpənˈdɪkjʊlə) /

adjective

Also: normal at right angles to a horizontal plane

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

upright; vertical

noun

geometry a line or plane perpendicular to another

any instrument used for indicating the vertical line through a given point

mountaineering a nearly vertical face

Derived forms of perpendicular

perpendicularity (ˌpɜːpənˌdɪkjʊˈlærɪtɪ), nounperpendicularly, adverb

Word Origin for perpendicular

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for perpendicularity

perpendicular

[ pûr′pən-dĭk′yə-lər ]

Adjective

Intersecting at or forming a right angle or right angles.

Noun

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

perpendicular

adjective

noun

Words related to perpendicular

Words nearby perpendicular

Origin of perpendicular

SYNONYMS FOR perpendicular

OTHER WORDS FROM perpendicular

Examples from the Web for perpendicularity

British Dictionary definitions for perpendicularity

adjective

noun

Derived forms of perpendicular

Word Origin for perpendicular

Scientific definitions for perpendicularity

Adjective

Noun