I. ver ‧ ti ‧ cal 1 /ˈvɜːtɪk ə l $ ˈvɜːr-/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Late Latin ; Origin: verticalis , from Latin vertex ; ⇨ ↑ vertex ]
1 . pointing up in a line that forms an angle of 90° with a flat surface OPP horizontal ⇨ diagonal :
a vertical line
the vertical axis of a graph
vertical window blinds
vertical cliff/climb/drop etc (=one that is very high or steep)
a gorge lined with vertical cliffs
2 . having a structure in which there are top, middle, and bottom levels ⇨ hierarchical :
Formal communication channels are usually vertical.
—vertically /-kli/ adverb
II. vertical 2 BrE AmE noun
the vertical the direction of something that is vertical:
The tower now leans about 15 degrees from the vertical.