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Merriam-Webster Online
vertical
5 entries found for vertical.
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verticalvertical anglevertical circlevertical filevertical union
Main Entry: ver·ti·cal
Pronunciation: 'v&r-ti-k&l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French, from Late Latin verticalis, from Latin vertic-, vertex
1 a : situated at the highest point : directly overhead or in the zenith b of an aerial photograph : taken with the camera pointing straight down or nearly so
2 a : perpendicular to the plane of the horizon or to a primary axis : UPRIGHT b (1) : located at right angles to the plane of a supporting surface (2) : lying in the direction of an axis : LENGTHWISE
3 a : relating to, involving, or integrating economic activity from basic production to point of sale <vertical monopoly> b : of, relating to, or comprising persons of different status <the vertical arrangement of society>
- vertical noun
- ver·ti·cal·i·ty /"v&r-t&-'ka-l&-tE/ noun
- ver·ti·cal·ly /'v&r-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb
- ver·ti·cal·ness /-k&l-n&s/ noun
synonyms 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>.
