/ ˈvɜːtɪkl; NAmE ˈvɜːrt-/ adjective , noun
■ adjective
1.
( of a line, pole, etc. ) going straight up or down from a level surface or from top to bottom in a picture, etc.
SYN perpendicular :
the vertical axis of the graph
The cliff was almost vertical.
There was a vertical drop to the ocean.
—compare horizontal
2.
having a structure in which there are top, middle and bottom levels :
a vertical flow of communication
► ver·ti·cal·ly / -kli; NAmE / adverb
■ noun
(usually the vertical ) a vertical line or position
SYN perpendicular :
The wall is several degrees off the vertical.
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (in the sense directly overhead ): from French , or from late Latin verticalis , from vertex whirlpool, crown of a head, vertex , from vertere to turn.