Definition

1. Adverb:
   • In a perpendicular manner: At a 90-degree angle to a given line, plane, or surface; forming a right angle.
   • Straight up or down; vertically: In a direction that is plumb or upright, without any slope or deviation.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • The two walls met perpendicularly, creating a perfect corner.
  • The tower rose perpendicularly from the flat plain.
  • To ensure stability, the post must be set perpendicularly to the ground.

Advanced Usage

• In technical/mathematical contexts: Used to describe the precise orientation of lines, vectors, or surfaces.
  • The force was applied perpendicularly to the surface, maximizing the normal stress.
• In figurative use: Can describe an abrupt or direct opposition in abstract terms.
  • His viewpoint stood perpendicularly to the mainstream opinion of the time.

Variants and Related Words

• Perpendicular (adjective): At an angle of 90° to a given line, plane, or surface.
  • The ladder must be perpendicular to the wall for safe use.
• Perpendicular (noun): A perpendicular line or position.
  • The architect drew a perpendicular from the base line.
• Perpendicularity (noun): The quality or condition of being perpendicular.
  • The perpendicularity of the structure was verified with a laser level.

Synonyms

• At right angles: Meeting or crossing at a 90-degree angle.
• Vertically: In a straight up-and-down line.
• Plumb: Exactly vertical or true.
• Orthogonally (technical): In a manner involving right angles or independent components.

Antonyms

• Parallelly: In a parallel manner; side by side and having the same distance continuously between them.
• Horizontally: In a direction parallel to the horizon; flat.
• Obliquely: At an angle that is not a right angle; slanting.

Related Phrases

• "At a perpendicular": In a perpendicular position or direction.
  • The two roads intersect at a perpendicular.
• "Drop a perpendicular" (geometry): To draw a line from a point to another line so that it meets at a right angle.
  • The first step is to drop a perpendicular from the vertex to the base.

Adverb

1. in a perpendicular manner
   • this red line runs perpendicularly to the green line
2. straight up or down without a break