perpendicular Definition
per·pen·dicu·lar (pʉr′pən dik′yo̵̅o̅ lər, -yə-)
adjective
- at right angles to a given plane or line
- exactly upright; vertical; straight up or down
- very steep
- 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
Etymology: ME perpendiculer < OFr < L perpendicularis < perpendiculum, plumb line < perpendere, to weigh carefully < per-, intens. + pendere, to hang: see pendant
noun
- a device used in finding or marking the vertical line from any point
- a line at right angles to the plane of the horizon
- a line or plane at right angles to another line or plane
- a perpendicular or upright position
perpendicular Related Forms
per′·pen·dic′u·lar′·ity (-lar′ə tē) noun
per′·pen·dic′u·larly adverb
perpendicular Synonyms
perpendicular Usage Examples
Converse of object
- lie: Figure 1. A diagram showing the Ewald Sphere intersecting the series of lattice rods lying perpendicular to the plane of the sample.
- run: First of all a wall running perpendicular to the front wall was found.
Modifies a noun
- bisector: Then draw on a perpendicular bisector to the first line.
- tracery: Of the same period is the east wall of the church, with its fine window with Perpendicular panel tracery.
- arcade: Inside the church is a Perpendicular north arcade to the single aisle.
- cliff: Our descent was barred by the perpendicular cliffs that defend this summit from a frontal climb.
- style: Turner created a tower in the Perpendicular style to match the simple elegance of the existing church.
- ax: This is a covered route at street level, on two perpendicular axes, which meet in a large internal atrium.
Modifying Another Word
- mutually: Depending on the test specification, vibration tests may be carried out on a single axis or three mutually perpendicular axes.
- nearly: In various places along their course, these rivulets are bounded by pretty high rocks, from 25 to 50 feet, nearly perpendicular.
- almost: Almost perpendicular to machines at home have always allowed child's return.
- approximately: Therefore the nominal dipole magnetic field direction is approximately perpendicular to the spin axis.
Noun used with modifier
- axis: Each region or ' grain ' has a different orientation with respect to some arbitrary axis perpendicular to the plane of the lattice.
- plane: The search volume is the plane perpendicular to the direction of the search.
- vector: Each point represents the tip of a vector perpendicular to the indicated base pair.
- direction: It will thrust in a direction perpendicular to the position vector in the orbital plane.
- line: From stake A, run a second line perpendicular to the first.
Used with adjective complement
- orient: The terminal part of the Odra lobe is marked by several broad tunnel channels oriented perpendicular to the former ice margin.
- apply: FLAT CRUSH Measure of the resistance of the flutes in corrugated board to a crushing force applied perpendicular to the surface of the board.
Preposition: in
style: All in 19thC pink sandstone, tho Perpendicular in style and possibly a renewal by Scott.
Browse dictionary entries near perpendicular
- ‹ perpend
- ‹ perp
- ‹ peroxyacetyl nitrate
- ‹ peroxy-
- ‹ peroxisome
- ‹ peroxide
- ‹ peroxidase
- ‹ peroration
- ‹ perorate
- ‹ peroral
- perpetrate ›
- perpetual ›
- perpetual calendar ›
- perpetual motion ›
- perpetually ›
- perpetuate ›
- perpetuation ›
- perpetuity ›
- Perpignan ›
- perplex ›

