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ver·ti·cal
I. \ˈvər]d.]ə̇kəl, ˈvə̄], ˈvəi], ]t], ]ēk-\ adjective
Etymology: Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French vertical, from Late Latin verticalis, from Latin vertic-, vertex peak + -alis -al
1.
a. : of or relating to the vertex : situated at the highest point : directly overhead or in the zenith
b. obsolete : being or relating to a high point (as of a life, of eminence, or of excellence)
c. : of or relating to the vertex of the head
d. : of, relating to, or being an aerial photograph taken with the camera pointing straight down or nearly so
2.
a. : perpendicular to the plane of the horizon or to a primary axis : upright, plumb
< a vertical line >
b.
(1) : located at right angles to the plane of a supporting surface
(2) : lying in the direction of an axis : lengthwise
c. : directed upward or downward at a right angle to the plane of the body or part of the surface of the earth
< vertical fins of a fish >
3. : relating to, involving, or integrating discrete elements (as from lowest to highest or from first to last): as
a. : consisting of two or more economic units on different levels of production or distribution
< a vertical business organization >
< a completely vertical manufacturing operation — New York Times >
b. : of, relating to, or comprising persons of different status
< the vertical arrangement of society >
< race, religion, and nation are examples of vertical groups — C.M.Panunzio >
— compare industrial union
4. : relating to harmony especially in a homophonic composition as contrasted with a contrapuntal one — compare horizontal 2b(3)
5. of a stamp : having a rectangular shape with the shorter sides forming the top and bottom
6. : coming from or involving action from above and specifically from the air
< vertical warfare >
especially : constituting aerial bombing from a craft flying parallel with the earth
Synonyms:
perpendicular, plumb: vertical in general nontechnical use may suggest a line or direction rising upward toward a zenith
< the design is the characteristic American perpendicular skyscraper style, with horizontal lines subdued and the vertical lines emphasized — American Guide Series: Minnesota >
< the vertical, or conventional, approach, was to begin at a designated place and time in history, and then climb the chronological ladder until you reached the present — Norman Cousins >
and it may also be applied to a straight downward direction but is so used less frequently
< face, as many have done and are doing, the level as opposed to the vertical fire of the enemy — Sir Winston Churchill >
perpendicular may suggest a stiff straightness; it is somewhat more likely than vertical to suggest a downward line or straight drop or descent
< it appears that the water is broken nowhere by striking against the rocks, and that therefore the descent is perpendicular — Anthony Trollope >
< the trail led under the foot of a high, almost perpendicular rock — C.G.D.Roberts >
plumb in this sense is mainly an artisan's or builder's term indicating exact verticality capable of being ascertained by plumb line
< the wall was not plumb >
II. noun
(-s)
: something that is vertical: as
a. obsolete : vertex, height, summit
b. : a vertical line, plane, or circle; especially : perpendicular
c. : a vertical member in a truss
d. : a vertical photograph : an aerial photograph taken with the camera pointed straight downward
e. : upright piano |