Main Entry: ver·ti·cal

Pronunciation: \ˈvər-ti-kəl\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French, from Late Latin verticalis, from Latin vertic-, vertex

Date: 1559

1 a : situated at the highest point : directly overhead or in the zenith b of 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 b (1) : located at right angles to the plane of a supporting surface (2) : lying in the direction of an axis : lengthwise
3 a : relating to, involving, or integrating economic activity from basic production to point of sale <a vertical monopoly> b : of, relating to, or comprising persons of different status <the vertical arrangement of society>

— vertical noun

— ver·ti·cal·i·ty \ˌvər-tə-ˈka-lə-tē\ noun

— ver·ti·cal·ly \ˈvər-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

— ver·ti·cal·ness \-kəl-nəs\ noun

synonyms vertical, perpendicular, plumb mean being at right angles to a base line. vertical suggests a line or direction rising straight upward toward a zenith <the side of the cliff is almost vertical>. perpendicular may stress the straightness of a line making a right angle with any other line, not necessarily a horizontal one <the parallel bars are perpendicular to the support posts>. plumb stresses an exact verticality determined (as with a plumb line) by earth's gravity <make sure that the wall is plumb>.