diagonal

[ dahy-ag-uh-nl, -ag-nl ]

adjective

1. Mathematics.
   1. connecting two nonadjacent angles or vertices of a polygon or polyhedron, as a straight line.
   2. extending from one edge of a solid figure to an opposite edge, as a plane.
2. having an oblique direction.
3. having oblique lines, ridges, markings, etc.

noun

1. a diagonal line or plane.
2. virgule.
3. a diagonal row, part, pattern, etc.
4. Manège. (of a horse at a trot) the foreleg and the hind leg, diagonally opposite, which move forward simultaneously.
5. diagonal cloth.
6. Mathematics. a set of entries in a square matrix running either from upper left to lower right main diagonal, or principal diagonal or lower left to upper right secondary diagonal.
7. Chess. one of the oblique lines of squares on a chessboard:

   He advanced his bishop along the open diagonal.

diagonal

/ daɪˈæɡənəl /

adjective

1. maths connecting any two vertices that in a polygon are not adjacent and in a polyhedron are not in the same face
2. slanting; oblique
3. marked with slanting lines or patterns

noun

1. maths a diagonal line or plane
2. chess any oblique row of squares of the same colour
3. cloth marked or woven with slanting lines or patterns
4. something put, set, or drawn obliquely
5. another name for solidus
6. one front leg and the hind leg on the opposite side of a horse, which are on the ground together when the horse is trotting

diagonal

/ dī-ăg′ə-nəl /

Adjective

1. Connecting two nonadjacent corners in a polygon or two nonadjacent corners in a polyhedron that do not lie in the same face.

Noun

1. A diagonal line segment.

Derived Forms

• diˈagonally, adverb

Other Words From

• di·ago·nal·ly adverb
• nondi·ago·nal adjective noun
• nondi·ago·nal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of diagonal¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin diagōnālis, from Greek diagṓn(ios) “from angle to angle” + Latin -ālis adjective suffix; dia-, -gon, -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of diagonal¹

C16: from Latin diagōnālis, from Greek diagōnios, from dia- + gōnia angle

Example Sentences

In the unfinished painting, the tormented saint tilts his head far to one side, capping a long diagonal line made from an outstretched arm that cuts across the picture.

From Los Angeles Times

He will sit deep when required and push high when he can; will play neat possession football in some fixtures and tell his players to hit longer diagonals out to the wide men in others.

From BBC

He hit some lovely diagonal balls which got them moving forward.

From BBC

A new wooden bench sits on a traffic-calming chicane in a road, at a diagonal angle with a view of a large wall.

From BBC

Milton crossed through the passage with a single, light diagonal line so the words beneath remain fully legible.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• catty-corner
• crosswise
• oblique
• slanted