straightedge

[ streyt-ej ]

/ ˈstreɪtˌɛdʒ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR straightedge ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a bar or strip of wood, plastic, or metal having at least one long edge of sufficiently reliable straightness for use in drawing or testing straight lines, plane surfaces, etc.

RELATED WORDS

yardstick, rule, measure, T-square

Nearby words

straight-from-the-shoulder, straight-laced, straight-line, straight-out, straightaway, straightedge, straighten, straighten out, straighten up, straightforward, straightjacket

Origin of straightedge

First recorded in 1805–15; straight + edge

Definition for straightedge (2 of 2)

straight-edge

[ streyt-ej ]

/ ˈstreɪtˌɛdʒ /

adjective

advocating abstinence from alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, and sex and sometimes advocating vegetarianism.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for straightedge

It is necessary also that the straightedge be applied frequently.
The Invention of Lithography|Alois Senefelder
This, like Postulate 1, requires the use of a straightedge for drawing the physical figure.
The Teaching of Geometry|David Eugene Smith
In other words, the trisection of any angle, by the use of the straightedge and compasses alone, is impossible.
The Teaching of Geometry|David Eugene Smith
The first requisite for this is a straightedge of iron or brass, as true as possible.
The Invention of Lithography|Alois Senefelder

The straightedge and the compasses are the only two drawing instruments recognized in elementary geometry.
The Teaching of Geometry|David Eugene Smith

British Dictionary definitions for straightedge (1 of 2)

straightedge

/ (ˈstreɪtˌɛdʒ) /

noun

a stiff strip of wood or metal that has one edge straight and true and is used for ruling and testing straight lines

Derived Forms

straightedged, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for straightedge (2 of 2)

straight-edge

adjective

informal not indulging in any kind of drug-taking or sexual activities

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