cornerwise

The cat walks cornerwise across the tiled floor.

Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Diagonal position: "cornerwise" means placed or moving in a diagonal direction, especially relative to a square or rectangular shape; at an angle from a corner.
   • Corner-to-corner orientation: It describes something that is situated or arranged so that it extends from one corner to the opposite corner of a space or object.

Usage Examples

• (The picture was placed diagonally, not straight.)
• (The table was oriented so that its corners aligned with the room's corners.)
• (She cut diagonally from one corner to the opposite corner.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be arranged cornerwise": to be set in a diagonal pattern.

  • The tiles were laid cornerwise across the floor, creating a striking geometric effect. (The tiles were placed at a 45-degree angle relative to the walls.)

• "to move cornerwise": to travel in a diagonal direction.

  • The chess bishop moves cornerwise across the board, staying on squares of the same color. (The bishop moves diagonally from one corner to another.)

Variants and Related Words

• Corner (n): the point where two lines, edges, or sides meet; an angle.

  • The cat sat in the corner of the room. (The cat occupied the meeting point of two walls.)

• Cornerwise (adj): (rare) describing a diagonal orientation, though more commonly used as an adverb.

  • The cornerwise pattern on the wallpaper added visual interest. (The diagonal pattern.)

• Diagonal (adj/n): a line or direction that goes from one corner to the opposite corner.

  • Draw a diagonal line across the square. (A line from corner to corner.)

Synonyms

• Diagonally: in a slanting or oblique direction, especially from one corner to the opposite corner.
• Crosswise: in a direction that crosses something diagonally; often interchangeable with "cornerwise" for rectangular shapes.
• Obliquely: in a slanting or angled direction, not straight or parallel.

Phrasal Verbs

• Place cornerwise: to set something in a diagonal position.

  • She placed the sofa cornerwise in the living room to open up the space. (She oriented the sofa diagonally.)

• Cut cornerwise: to slice or divide something diagonally.

  • Cut the sandwich cornerwise for a more elegant presentation. (Cut from one corner to the opposite corner.)

Related Idioms

• Cut corners: (not directly related to "cornerwise") to do something in the easiest or cheapest way, often sacrificing quality.
  • Don't cut corners on safety procedures. (Avoid taking shortcuts.)