perpendicular

[ pur-puhn-dik-yuh-ler ]

/ ˌpɜr pənˈdɪk yə lər /

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See synonyms for: perpendicular / perpendicularity 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.

OTHER WORDS FOR perpendicular

1 standing.

See synonyms for perpendicular on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of perpendicular

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin perpendiculāris “vertical,” equivalent to perpendicul(um) “plumb line” (see perpend², -i-, -cule²) + -āris-ar¹; replacing Middle English perpendiculer(e) (adjective and adverb), from Old French perpendiculiere

synonym study for perpendicular

1. See upright.

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. 2023

How to use perpendicular in a sentence

In the conscious reasoning of both, however, is the condition of perpendicularity.
The Mystery of Space|Robert T. Browne
The symmetry of perpendicularity is a particular instance of the symmetry of the mutual relations between two time-systems.
The Concept of Nature|Alfred North Whitehead
In this way we have pointed out unique and definite properties in nature which correspond to perpendicularity.
The Concept of Nature|Alfred North Whitehead
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

Of new definitions we mention those which relate to the perpendicularity and the inclination of lines and planes.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 6|Various

British Dictionary definitions for perpendicular

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 perpendicular

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

OTHER WORDS FOR perpendicular

Origin of perpendicular

synonym study for perpendicular

OTHER WORDS FROM perpendicular

Words related to perpendicular

How to use perpendicular in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for perpendicular

Derived forms of perpendicular

Word Origin for perpendicular

Scientific definitions for perpendicular