A perpendicular line or surface points straight up, rather than being sloping or horizontal.
We made two slits for the eyes and a perpendicular line for the nose.
The sides of the loch are almost perpendicular.
2. adjective
If one thing is perpendicularto another, it is at an angle of 90 degrees to it.
[formal]
The left wing dipped until it was perpendicular to the ground. [+ to]
Synonyms: at right angles, at 90 degrees More Synonyms of perpendicular
More Synonyms of perpendicular
perpendicular in British English
(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
4. geometry
a line or plane perpendicular to another
5.
any instrument used for indicating the vertical line through a given point
6. mountaineering
a nearly vertical face
Derived forms
perpendicularity (ˌpɜːpənˌdɪkjʊˈlærɪtɪ)
noun
perpendicularly (ˌperpenˈdicularly)
adverb
Word origin
C14: from Latin perpendiculāris, from perpendiculum a plumb line, from per- through + pendēre to hang
perpendicular in American English
(ˌpɜrpənˈdɪkjulər; ˌpɜrpənˈdɪkjələr)
adjective
1.
at right angles to a given plane or line
2.
exactly upright; vertical; straight up or down
3.
very steep
4. [P-]
of or designating the third and latest style of English Gothic architecture of the 14th to the 16th cent., characterized by vertical lines in its tracery
noun
5.
a device used in finding or marking the vertical line from any point
6.
a line at right angles to the plane of the horizon
7.
a line or plane at right angles to another line or plane
ME perpendiculer < OFr < L perpendicularis < perpendiculum, plumb line < perpendere, to weigh carefully < per-, intens. + pendere, to hang: see pendant
Examples of 'perpendicular' in a sentence
perpendicular
At the bottom, perpendicular to the title, the author's last name appeared in tiny letters: Theron.
Reeves, Robert DOUBTING THOMAS (2002)
The rain began falling more heavily, in thick perpendicular sheets.
Stewart, Michael COMPULSION (2002)
The minutely balanced works, the gnomon fitted to the perpendicular plane, would be far beyond their grasp.
Fidelis Morgan THE RIVAL QUEENS: A COUNTESS ASHBY DE LA ZOUCHE MYSTERY (2002)
Word lists with
perpendicular
architectural styles
Chinese translation of 'perpendicular'
perpendicular
(pəːpənˈdɪkjuləʳ)
adj
[line, surface]垂直的 (chuízhí de)
n(c)
the perpendicular (Geom) 垂直线(線) (chuízhíxiàn) (条(條), tiáo)
perpendicular to垂直于(於) (chuízhí yú)
Nearby words of
perpendicular
permissible
permission
permit
perpendicular
perpendicular to
perplex
persecute
Related terms of
perpendicular
perpendicular to
the perpendicular
1 (adjective)
Definition
upright
the perpendicular wall of sandstone
Synonyms
upright
He moved into an upright position.
straight
Is this picture straight?
vertical
The climber inched up a vertical wall of rock.
plumb
on end
2 (adjective)
a narrow, exposed beach and perpendicular cliffs
Synonyms
steep
a narrow, steep-sided valley
sheer
There was a sheer drop just outside my window.
precipitous
a steep, precipitous cliff
vertiginous
3 (adjective)
Definition
at right angles to a given line or surface
The left wing dipped until it was perpendicular to the ground.