straightedge

[ streyt-ej ]

noun

1. 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.

straightedge

/ ˈstreɪtˌɛdʒ /

noun

1. 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

• ˈstraightˌedged, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of straightedge¹

First recorded in 1805–15; straight + edge

Example Sentences

Draw one through the original nail hole using a straightedge or level.

From Popular-Science

Six years later the astronomer Edmund Gunter had the bright idea of marking numbers on a straightedge proportional to their logarithms.

From Science News

He began by describing age-old quests for solutions—using algebraic tools or straightedge and compass, which he considered rudimentary forms of computation.

From MIT Technology Review

The first requisite for this is a straightedge of iron or brass, as true as possible.

From Project Gutenberg

It is necessary also that the straightedge be applied frequently.

From Project Gutenberg

The cutter is guided along the straightedge as shown in Fig. 1.

From Project Gutenberg

The straightedge and the compasses are the only two drawing instruments recognized in elementary geometry.

From Project Gutenberg

In other words, the trisection of any angle, by the use of the straightedge and compasses alone, is impossible.

From Project Gutenberg