perpendicular

American  

[pur-puhn-dik-yuh-ler] / ˌpɜr pənˈdɪk yə lər /

adjective

1. vertical; straight up and down; upright.

   Synonyms:

   standing

2. Geometry. meeting a given line or surface at right angles.

3. maintaining a standing or upright position; standing up.

4. having a sharp pitch or slope; steep.

5. (initial capital letter) noting or pertaining to the last style of English Gothic architecture, prevailing from the late 14th through the early 16th century and characterized by the use of predominantly vertical tracery, an overall linear, shallow effect, and fine intricate stonework.

---

noun

1. a perpendicular line or plane.

2. an instrument for indicating the vertical line from any point.

3. an upright position.

4. a sharply pitched or precipitously steep mountain face.

5. moral virtue or uprightness; rectitude.

6. Nautical. either of two lines perpendicular to the keel line, base line, or designed water line of a vessel.

perpendicular British  

/ ˌpɜːpənˌdɪkjʊˈlærɪtɪ, ˌpɜːpənˈdɪkjʊlə /

adjective

1. Also: normal.  at right angles to a horizontal plane

2. denoting, relating to, or having the style of Gothic architecture used in England during the 14th and 15th centuries, characterized by tracery having vertical lines, a four-centred arch, and fan vaulting

3. upright; vertical

---

noun

1. geometry a line or plane perpendicular to another

2. any instrument used for indicating the vertical line through a given point

3. mountaineering a nearly vertical face

perpendicular Scientific  

/ pûr′pən-dĭk′yə-lər /

1. Intersecting at or forming a right angle or right angles.

---

1. A line or plane that is perpendicular to a given line or plane.

Related Words

See upright.

Other Word Forms

• nonperpendicular adjective
• nonperpendicularity noun
• nonperpendicularly adverb
• perpendicularity noun
• perpendicularly adverb
• perpendicularness noun
• unperpendicular adjective
• unperpendicularly adverb

Etymology

Origin of perpendicular

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin perpendiculāris “vertical,” equivalent to perpendicul(um) “plumb line” ( perpend ², -i-, -cule ² ) + -āris -ar ¹; replacing Middle English perpendiculer(e) (adjective and adverb), from Old French perpendiculiere

Example Sentences

I roast them at 400 to 425 degrees F. Grilling: Just make sure to position the spears perpendicular to the grates so you don’t lose any.

From Washington Times

The bridge typically stays perpendicular to allow boat traffic to pass, but a bridge operator aligns the bridge with the tracks if train traffic is anticipated.

From Seattle Times

The waves traveled fastest when going from pole to pole along the Earth’s axis and slowest when traveling perpendicular to the axis.

From New York Times

Roof framing is always perpendicular to walls, but if you’re not sure whether the pieces run side to side or front to back in your house, go outside and look at the roof slope.

From Washington Post

And, oddly enough, the lit floor that the second girl is about to step onto, like the pink piano top in the Matisse, provides a low horizontal plane that is perpendicular to the dominant verticals.

From New York Times

Related Words

• erect
• on end
• plumb