rectilinear

or rec·ti·lin·e·al

[ rek-tl-in-ee-er ]

/ ˌrɛk tlˈɪn i ər /

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See synonyms for rectilinear on Thesaurus.com

adjective

forming a straight line.

formed by straight lines.

characterized by straight lines.

moving in a straight line.

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Origin of rectilinear

1650–60; <Late Latin rēctilīne(us) (rēcti-recti- + līne(a) line¹ + -us adj. suffix) + -ar¹

OTHER WORDS FROM rectilinear

rec·ti·lin·e·ar·ly, adverb

Words nearby rectilinear

rectification, rectified, rectified spirit, rectifier, rectify, rectilinear, rectirostral, rectitude, rectitudinous, recto, rectocele

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use rectilinear in a sentence

It shows a boy, not looking where he’s going, head in a book, as he travels from a mostly rectilinear and geometric landscape to a riot of twisted and abstract forms, reminiscent of seas and forest floors and other worlds.
Elizabeth Alexander Wants to Know if Art Can Solve America's Problems|Belinda Luscombe|April 6, 2022|Time
This truth becomes evident when we consider a map of the United States, with its familiar rectilinear boundaries to the north and south and patchwork of state borders spanning the landmass.
Who Decides What Goes on a Map?|Abigail Levene|January 29, 2022|Outside Online
De Rossi has prepared a map of the principal part of it, divided into fifteen rectilinear and generally rectangular areas.
The Catacombs of Rome|William Henry Withrow
Just as the triangle is the simplest rectilinear figure of geometry, so also is it the simplest closed ornamental pattern.
Elements of Folk Psychology|Wilhelm Wundt

The largest of these is apparently the occasion of a slight deviation from its otherwise rectilinear course.
The Astronomy of the Bible|E. Walter Maunder
The chief member of the cornice, directly beneath the gutter, by its great projection and rectilinear faces forming the drip.
History of Ancient Art|Franz von Reber
But Oughtred had invented also a rectilinear slide rule, a description of which appeared in 1633.
William Oughtred|Florian Cajori

British Dictionary definitions for rectilinear

rectilinear

rectilineal

/ (ˌrɛktɪˈlɪnɪə) /

adjective

in, moving in, or characterized by a straight line or linesthe rectilinear propagation of light

consisting of, bounded by, or formed by a straight line or lines

Derived forms of rectilinear

rectilinearly or rectilineally, adverb

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 rectilinear

rectilinear

[ rĕk′tə-lĭn′ē-ər ]

Relating to, consisting of, or moving in a straight line or lines.

rectilinear

or rec·ti·lin·e·al

Origin of rectilinear

OTHER WORDS FROM rectilinear

Words nearby rectilinear

Words related to rectilinear

How to use rectilinear in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for rectilinear

rectilineal

Derived forms of rectilinear

Scientific definitions for rectilinear