First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1perpendicular
adjective per·pen·dic·u·lar \ˌpər-pən-ˈdi-kyə-lər\
: going straight up or to the side at a 90 degree angle from another line or surface
Full 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
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Origin of PERPENDICULAR
Middle English perpendiculer, from Middle French, from Latin perpendicularis, from perpendiculum plumb line, from per- + pendēre to hang — more at pendant
Related to PERPENDICULAR
Synonym Discussion of PERPENDICULAR
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>.
Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms
Rhymes with PERPENDICULAR
2perpendicular
noun
Definition of PERPENDICULAR
: a line at right angles to a line or plane (as of the horizon)
First Known Use of PERPENDICULAR
1571
Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms
Rhymes with PERPENDICULAR
PERPENDICULARLY Defined for Kids
1perpendicular
adjective per·pen·dic·u·lar \ˌpər-pən-ˈdi-kyə-lər\
Definition of PERPENDICULAR for Kids
1
: exactly vertical
2
: being at right angles to a line or surface <The letter T is made with two perpendicular lines.>
— per·pen·dic·u·lar·ly adverb
2perpendicular
noun
Definition of PERPENDICULAR for Kids
: a line, surface, or position at right angles to another line, surface, or position
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