rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryperpendicularRight angle
adjective / noun

perpendicular

per-pun-DIK-yuh-ler/ˌpɜːrpənˈdɪkjələr/

At a right angle to a line or surface.

The upright board stands perpendicular to the horizontal base.

An upright wooden board meets a horizontal wooden base at an unmistakable right angle, with a steel carpenter’s square fitted snugly into the inside corner.
Etymology
perpendiculLatinplumb line
+arLatinrelating to

A plumb line supplies the image of a perfectly vertical line, at right angles to the horizon. The geometric sense extends that relationship to any line or surface meeting another at a right angle.

In context

CXC MATH TV8:28
this vertical line is perpendicular to the line a b clearly it's perpendicular this is now perpendicular so this angle right here is 90.
CONSTRUCTING PERPENDICULAR LINES|90 Degree Angles| Geometric Construction

More examples

  • Hold the drill perpendicular to the wall.
  • The two streets are perpendicular at this intersection.
  • Draw a perpendicular from this point to the line.

Forms

perpendicular · perpendiculars

perpendicularly adverb — At a right angle to something.

perpendicularity noun — The state of meeting at right angles.

Similar words

orthogonal
Also means meeting at right angles, chiefly in technical contexts.
vertical
Specifies an upright direction, not right angles to any surface.