Definition of oblique
1a : neither perpendicular nor parallel : inclined oblique linesb : having the axis not perpendicular to the base an oblique conec : having no right angle an oblique triangle
2a : not straightforward : indirect In her speech she made only oblique references to the scandal.; also : obscure … much of what there is to see is nuanced and oblique — a shadow of a shadow of a shadow. — New Yorkerb : devious, underhanded … the open, above-board fury of his mind coagulated, thickened, and sunk to a dull, evil hatred, a wicked, oblique malevolence. — Frank Norris
3 : situated at an angle and having one end not inserted on bone oblique muscles
4 : taken from an airplane with the camera directed horizontally or diagonally downward an oblique photograph
obliquely
adverbobliqueness
nounExplore M-W
Examples of oblique in a sentence
Harden … , who missed a month with a strained left oblique muscle, has become one of the game's most intimidating starters in just his second full big league season. —Albert Chen, Sports Illustrated, 8 Aug. 2005
They were painted in oil paints on old-fashioned canvas. But the manner of their portrayal was oblique and enigmatic, with an element of hide-and-seek in which hiding most often won out over seeking. —John Russell, New York Times Magazine, 11 Nov. 1990
The driveway met the street at an oblique angle, and a jutting corner of the customer's cinderblock building, a large power pole, and a berm of trash (pallets, pails, chunks of wood) made it a dogleg affair. —Bryan Di Salvatore, New Yorker, 12 Sept. 1988
The short lines of the letter “k” are oblique lines.
gave the eavesdropper an oblique glance out of the corner of her eye
Origin and Etymology of oblique
Middle English oblike, from Latin obliquus
First Known Use: 15th century
Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms
Definition of oblique
1 : something (such as a line) that is oblique
2 or oblique muscle : any of several oblique muscles; especially : any of the thin flat muscles forming the middle and outer layers of the lateral walls of the abdomen
Examples of oblique in a sentence
We each received a list of every muscle group (back, inner thighs, outer thighs, quads, biceps, obliques, upper abs, etc.), with detailed comments on which ones we needed to change. —anonymous, Cosmopolitan, November 2007
He hammered on my back with both fists, but I had a lot of muscle layer to protect back there. Twenty years of working on the lats and the lateral obliques. I got hold of his shirtfront with both hands and pulled him away from the wall and slammed him back up against it. —Robert B. Parker, Mortal Stakes, 1975
Origin and Etymology of oblique
see 1oblique
First Known Use: circa 1608
Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms
Definition of oblique
: at a 45 degree angle To the right oblique, march!
Origin and Etymology of oblique
see 1oblique
First Known Use: 1687
OBLIQUE Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of oblique for English Language Learners
-
: not direct : not stated directly
-
of a line : having a slanting direction or position : neither perpendicular nor parallel
OBLIQUE Defined for Kids
oblique
playDefinition of oblique for Students
: having a slanting position or direction : neither perpendicular nor parallel
obliquely
adverbMedical Dictionary
oblique
oblique muscle
Medical Definition of oblique
: any of several oblique muscles: asa: either of two flat muscles on each side that form the middle and outer layers of the lateral walls of the abdomen, that have aponeuroses extending medially to ensheathe the rectus muscles and fusing in the midventral line in the linea alba, and that act to compress the abdominal contents and to assist in expelling the contents of various visceral organs (as in urination, defecation, parturition, and expiration): (1): one that forms the outer layer of the lateral abdominal wall—called also external oblique, obliquus externus, obliquus externus abdominis (2): one situated under the external oblique in the lateral and ventral part of the abdominal wall—called also internal oblique, obliquus internus, obliquus internus abdominisb (1): a long thin extraocular muscle that arises just above the margin of the optic foramen, is inserted on the upper part of the eyeball, and moves the eye downward and laterally—called also superior oblique, obliquus superior oculi (2): a short extraocular muscle that arises from the orbital surface of the maxilla, is inserted slightly in front of and below the superior oblique, and moves the eye upward and laterally—called also inferior oblique, obliquus inferior oculic (1): a muscle that arises from the superior surface of the transverse process of the atlas, passes medially upward to insert into the occipital bone, and functions to extend the head and bend it to the side—called also obliquus capitis superior, obliquus superior (2): a muscle that arises from the apex of the spinous process of the axis, inserts into the transverse process of the atlas, and rotates the atlas turning the face in the same direction—called also obliquus capitis inferior, obliquus inferior
Learn More about oblique
-
See words that rhyme with oblique Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for oblique Spanish Central: Translation of oblique Nglish: Translation of oblique for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of oblique for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up oblique? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!