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perpendicular. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
perpendicular, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
perpendicular in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
perpendicular you have here. The definition of the word
perpendicular will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
perpendicular, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
Derived from Middle French perpendiculaire, from Old French perpendiculer, from Latin perpendiculum (“plumb line”).
Pronunciation
Adjective
perpendicular (comparative more perpendicular, superlative most perpendicular)
- (geometry) At or forming a right angle (to something).
- Synonyms: normal, orthogonal
In most houses, the walls are perpendicular to the floor.
2012 March, Henry Petroski, “Opening Doors”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, pages 112–3: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.
- Exactly upright; extending in a straight line toward the centre of the earth, etc.
- Independent of or irrelevant to each other; orthogonal.
2019 May 31, David M. Willis, “Wrangled”, in Dumbing of Age:Hey, I'm not unsabotaging anything! This is completely perpendicular sabotage!
Derived terms
Translations
Noun
perpendicular (plural perpendiculars)
- (geometry) A line or plane that is perpendicular to another.
- A device such as a plumb line that is used in making or marking a perpendicular line.
- (obsolete, slang) A meal eaten at a tavern bar while standing up.
Translations
See also
- ⟂ (This symbol can be pronounced “perp” when used as a subscript of a letter representing a vector.)
Catalan
Etymology
Borrowed from Late Latin perpendiculāris, from perpendiculum.
Pronunciation
Adjective
perpendicular m or f (masculine and feminine plural perpendiculars)
- perpendicular
Derived terms
Noun
perpendicular f (plural perpendiculars)
- perpendicular
Further reading
Portuguese
Etymology
Borrowed from Late Latin perpendiculāris, from perpendiculum.
Pronunciation
- Hyphenation: per‧pen‧di‧cu‧lar
Adjective
perpendicular m or f (plural perpendiculares)
- perpendicular
Noun
perpendicular f (plural perpendiculares)
- perpendicular
Derived terms
Romanian
Etymology
Borrowed from French perpendiculaire.
Noun
perpendicular f (plural perpendiculare)
- perpendicular
Declension
Spanish
Etymology
Borrowed from Late Latin perpendiculāris, from perpendiculum.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /peɾpendikuˈlaɾ/
- Rhymes: -aɾ
- Syllabification: per‧pen‧di‧cu‧lar
Adjective
perpendicular m or f (masculine and feminine plural perpendiculares)
- perpendicular
Derived terms
Further reading