longitudinal

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   over an extended time

   A longitudinal study of twins.

2. 2
   adj

   running lengthwise

   A thin longitudinal strip.

3. 3
   adj

   of or relating to lines of longitude

   Longitudinal reckoning by the navigator.

4. 4
   adj

   Running across a set direction of an object.

   The motion about the longitudinal axis of an airplane is called roll.

From Middle English longitudinal, from Latin longitūdin-, oblique stem of longitūdō (“length, longitude”). By surface analysis, longitude + -in- + -al.

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