Perpendicular

B2 8+

Pronunciation: /pərˈpɛndɪkjələr/

Definitions of perpendicular

noun a line or plane that is perpendicular to another line or plane

Example Sentences

A1 A right angle forms when two lines are perpendicular to each other.

A2 The carpenter made sure the shelves were perpendicular to the wall.

B1 The engineer calculated the perpendicular distance between the two buildings.

B2 The surveyor used a theodolite to measure the angles of the perpendicular lines.

C1 The architect designed the building with numerous perpendicular walls for a modern look.

C2 The mathematician proved the theorem about perpendicular bisectors in geometry class.

adjective forming an angle of 90 degrees with another line or surface

Example Sentences

A1 The table legs are perpendicular to the floor.

A2 The two lines are perpendicular to each other.

B1 The building's walls are perpendicular to the ground.

B2 The engineer ensured that the beams were perpendicular to the support columns.

C1 The architect designed the staircase with perpendicular angles for stability.

C2 The surveyor used a theodolite to measure the perpendicularity of the structures.

Examples of perpendicular in a Sentence

formal The two lines are perpendicular to each other, creating a right angle.

informal The sign is supposed to be perpendicular to the ground, not tilted.

slang Make sure you park your car perpendicular to the curb.

figurative Their opinions were perpendicular, causing a heated debate.

Grammatical Forms of perpendicular

past tense

perpendicularized

plural

perpendiculars

comparative

more perpendicular

superlative

most perpendicular

present tense

perpendicular

future tense

will be perpendicular

perfect tense

have been perpendicular

continuous tense

is being perpendicular

singular

perpendicular

positive degree

perpendicular

infinitive

to be perpendicular

gerund

perpendicularizing

participle

perpendicularized

Origin and Evolution of perpendicular

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: Latin
Story behind the word: The word 'perpendicular' originated from Latin, with the prefix 'per-' meaning 'through' or 'thoroughly', and 'pendere' meaning 'to hang'.
Evolution of the word: Originally used in geometry to describe lines that intersect at a right angle, the term 'perpendicular' has evolved to also describe things that are upright or vertical in orientation.