perpendicular — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. At or forming a right angle (to something).

   Synonyms

   normalorthogonal

   Examples

   In most houses, the walls are perpendicular to the floor.

   More examples (1)

   A doorknob of whatever roundish shape is effectively a continuum of levers, with the axis of the latching mechanism—known as the spindle—being the fulcrum about which the turning takes place. Applying a force tangential to the knob is essentially equivalent to applying one perpendicular to a radial line defining the lever.

2. Exactly upright; extending in a straight line toward the centre of the earth, etc.

3. Independent of or irrelevant to each other; orthogonal.

   Examples

   Hey, I'm not unsabotaging anything! This is completely perpendicular sabotage!

Noun

1. A line or plane that is perpendicular to another.

2. A device such as a plumb line that is used in making or marking a perpendicular line.

3. A meal eaten at a tavern bar while standing up.

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • Slang

Adjective

1. intersecting at or forming right angles

   Antonyms

   obliqueparallel

   Examples

   the axes are perpendicular to each other

2. at right angles to the plane of the horizon or a base line

   Synonyms

   vertical

   Examples

   a vertical camera angle

   the monument consists of two vertical pillars supporting a horizontal slab

   More examples (1)

   measure the perpendicular height

3. so steep as to be nearly vertical

   Examples

   the great perpendicular face of the cliff

Noun

1. a straight line at right angles to another line

   Broader terms

   straight line

2. a Gothic style in 14th and 15th century England; characterized by vertical lines and a four-centered (Tudor) arch and fan vaulting

   Synonyms

   perpendicular styleEnglish-GothicEnglish-Gothic architecture

   Broader terms

   GothicGothic architecture

3. a cord from which a metal weight is suspended pointing directly to the earth's center of gravity; used to determine the vertical from a given point

   Synonyms

   plumb line

   Broader terms

   cord

4. an extremely steep face

   Broader terms

   face