-alis

of, relating to

Forms

-alis
-aris — Latin variant especially used when the stem already contained l, avoiding a repeated l sound.
-al — English ending borrowed through French or directly from Latin.
-ar — English ending continuing Latin -aris.

Origin

An older Latin adjective-forming suffix; its more remote ancestry is uncertain.

Note

Expresses a relationship without specifying its kind: material, place, purpose, and other connections are possible.

281 / 291

adjective / noun

vertical

VER-tih-kul/ˈvɜːrtɪkl/

Extending straight up and down.

The plumb line hangs in a vertical position beside the wall.

A plumb line hangs perfectly straight vertically beside a wall.

Etymology

verticLatinwhirl, crown, or highest point

+alLatinof, relating to

From “relating to the highest point,” vertical first described something directly overhead. That overhead position supplied the direction: straight up and down, perpendicular to the horizon.

In context

WIRED2:30

so you throw it nice and vertical straight up and down it'll curve around and come back

How This Guy Became a World Champion Boomerang Thrower | WIRED

More examples

She draws a vertical line down the middle of the page.
The shelves form a vertical stack beside the desk.
The post tilts slightly away from the vertical.

Forms

vertical · verticals

vertically adverb — In a straight up-and-down direction.

Similar words

upright: Emphasizes standing straight rather than lying down or leaning.
perpendicular: Means at a right angle to a particular surface.