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perpendicular Definition

per·pen·dicu·lar (pʉr′pən dik′yo̵̅o̅ lər, -yə-)

adjective

  1. at right angles to a given plane or line
  2. exactly upright; vertical; straight up or down
  3. very steep
  4. 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

  1. a device used in finding or marking the vertical line from any point
  2. a line at right angles to the plane of the horizon
  3. a line or plane at right angles to another line or plane
  4. 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

modif.

vertical, plumb, straight, at 90 degrees; see upright 1.

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.