angle — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A figure formed by two rays which start from a common point (a plane angle) or by three planes that intersect (a solid angle).

   Examples

   the angle between lines A and B

2. The measure of such a figure. In the case of a plane angle, this is the ratio (or proportional to the ratio) of the arc length to the radius of a section of a circle cut by the two rays, centered at their common point. In the case of a solid angle, this is the ratio of the surface area to the square of the radius of the section of a sphere.

   Examples

   The angle between lines A and B is π/4 radians, or 45 degrees.

   More examples (1)

   The single-imaging optic of the mammalian eye offers some distinct visual advantages. Such lenses can take in photons from a wide range of angles, increasing light sensitivity. They also have high spatial resolution, resolving incoming images in minute detail.

3. A corner where two walls intersect.

   Examples

   an angle of a building

4. A change in direction.

   Examples

   The horse took off at an angle.

5. A viewpoint; a physical position to observe something.

6. A point of view; a perspective of thought.

   Usage

   • used figuratively

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   For example, if I was trying to repitch an idea to a producer who had already turned it down, I would say something like, "I remember you said you didn't like my idea because there was no women's angle. Well, here's a great one that both of us must have missed during our first conversation."

   In his first book since the 2008 essay collection Natural Acts: A Sidelong View of Science and Nature, David Quammen looks at the natural world from yet another angle: the search for the next human pandemic, what epidemiologists call “the next big one.”

   Police had various angles to consider after securing the scene of Jodi’s disappearance.

7. The focus of a news story.

8. Any of various hesperiid butterflies.

9. A storyline between two wrestlers, providing the background for and approach to a feud.

   Usage

   • Slang

10. An ulterior motive; a scheme or means of benefiting from a situation, usually hidden, often immoral.

    Usage

    • Slang

    Examples

    His angle is that he gets a percentage, but mostly in trade.

11. A projecting or sharp corner; an angular fragment.

    Examples

    though but an angle reached him of the stone

12. Any of the four cardinal points of an astrological chart: the Ascendant, the Midheaven, the Descendant and the Imum Coeli.

Verb

1. To place (something) at an angle.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   The roof is angled at 15 degrees.

2. To change direction rapidly.

   Usage

   • Informal
   • Intransitive

   Examples

   The five ball angled off the nine ball but failed to reach the pocket.

3. To present or argue something in a particular way or from a particular viewpoint.

   Usage

   • Informal
   • Transitive

   Examples

   How do you want to angle this when we talk to the client?

4. To hamper (oneself or one's opponent) by leaving the cue ball in the jaws of a pocket such that the surround of the pocket (the "angle") blocks the path from cue ball to object ball.

   Usage

   • Transitive

Noun

1. A fishhook; tackle for catching fish, consisting of a line, hook, and bait, with or without a rod.

   Examples

   Give me mine angle: we'll to the river there.

   A fisher next his trembling angle bears.

Verb

1. To try to catch fish with a hook and line.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

2. To attempt to subtly persuade someone to offer a desired thing.

   Usage

   • Figurative
   • Informal
   • with for

   Examples

   He must be angling for a pay rise.

Noun

1. the space between two lines or planes that intersect; the inclination of one line to another; measured in degrees or radians

   Broader terms

   space

2. a biased way of looking at or presenting something

   Synonyms

   slant

   Broader terms

   point of viewviewpointstandstandpoint

Verb

1. move or proceed at an angle

   Broader terms

   travelgomovelocomote

   Examples

   he angled his way into the room

2. to incline or bend from a vertical position

   Synonyms

   leantilttipslant

   Broader terms

   bendflex

   Examples

   She leaned over the banister

3. seek indirectly

   Synonyms

   fish

   Broader terms

   searchseeklook for

   Examples

   fish for compliments

4. fish with a hook

   Broader terms

   fish

5. present with a bias

   Synonyms

   slantweight

   Broader terms

   biaspredetermine

   Examples

   He biased his presentation so as to please the share holders