perpendicularity

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the state or relation of meeting a line or plane at a right angle

   The engineer used a square to verify the perpendicularity of the beam to the floor.

2. 2
   noun

   the quality of being exactly upright or extremely steep

   Climbers were intimidated by the sheer perpendicularity of the rock face.

Formed from perpendicular + -ity. Perpendicular comes from Latin perpendicularis, based on perpendiculum, 'a plumb line,' from perpendere, 'weigh or examine carefully.' A hanging plumb line supplied the model for exact verticality and, by geometry, a right angle.

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