1. Intersecting at or forming right angles
   "the axes are perpendicular to each other"
    
2. At right angles to the plane of the horizon or a base line
   "measure the perpendicular height";
   - vertical
    
3. So steep as to be nearly vertical
   "the great perpendicular face of the cliff"

1. A straight line at right angles to another line
   "The architect drew a perpendicular from the corner of the building"
    
2. A cord from which a metal weight is suspended pointing directly to the earth's centre of gravity; used to determine the vertical from a given point
   "The mason used a perpendicular to ensure the wall was perfectly straight";
   - plumb line
    
3. An extremely steep face
   "The climbers faced a daunting perpendicular on the north side of the mountain"
    
4. A Gothic style in 14th and 15th century England; characterized by vertical lines and a four-centred (Tudor) arch and fan vaulting
   "Westminster Abbey exhibits classic features of the perpendicular style";
   - perpendicular style, English-Gothic, English-Gothic architecture

Derived forms: perpendiculars

See also: normal, orientation, orthogonal, plumb, rectangular, right, steep, straight, unsloped, upended, upright

Type of: cord, face, Gothic, Gothic architecture, straight line

Antonym: horizontal, inclined, oblique, parallel

Encyclopedia: Perpendicular