Definitions of perpendicular:

  • noun:   an extremely steep face
  • noun:   a Gothic style in 14th and 15th century England; characterized by vertical lines and a four-centered (Tudor) arch and fan vaulting
  • noun:   a straight line at right angles to another line
  • noun:   a cord from which a metal weight is suspended pointing directly to the earth's center of gravity; used to determine the vertical from a given point
  • adjective:   intersecting at or forming right angles
    Example: "The axes are perpendicular to each other"
  • adjective:   extremely steep
    Example: "The great perpendicular face of the cliff"
  • adjective:   at right angles to the plane of the horizon or a base line
    Example: "Measure the perpendicular height"