perpendicular

¹per·pen·dic·u·lar

adj \ˌpər-pən-ˈdi-kyə-lər\

Definition of PERPENDICULAR

1

a : standing at right angles to the plane of the horizon : exactly upright b : being at right angles to a given line or plane

2

: extremely steep : precipitous

3

often capitalized : of or relating to a medieval English Gothic style of architecture in which vertical lines predominate

4

: relating to, uniting, or consisting of individuals of dissimilar type or on different levels

— per·pen·dic·u·lar·i·ty\-ˌdi-kyə-ˈla-rə-tē\ noun

— per·pen·dic·u·lar·ly\-ˈdi-kyə-lər-lē\ adverb

Examples of PERPENDICULAR

1. She lives on the street that is perpendicular to mine.
2. <river rafters staring awestruck at the canyon's nearly perpendicular cliffs>

Origin of PERPENDICULAR

Middle English perpendiculer, from Middle French, from Latin perpendicularis, from perpendiculum plumb line, from per- + pendēre to hang — more at pendant

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to PERPENDICULAR

Synonyms: erect, plumb, raised, standing, stand-up, upright, upstanding, vertical

Antonyms: flat, recumbent

Related Words: elevated, lifted, upended, upraised; semierect; freestanding, stand-alone

Near Antonyms: prostrate, supine; diagonal, hanging, sagging, slant, slanted, slanting, slanty

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See Synonym Discussion at vertical

Rhymes with PERPENDICULAR

appendicular, in particular