n.
Pronunciation: ' v ə r-ti-k ə l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French, from Late Latin verticalis, from Latin vertic-, vertex
Date: 1559
1 a : situated at the highest point : directly overhead or in the zenith b of an aerial photograph : taken with the camera pointing straight down or nearly so
2 a : perpendicular to the plane of the horizon or to a primary axis : UPRIGHT b (1) : located at right angles to the plane of a supporting surface (2) : lying in the direction of an axis : LENGTHWISE
3 a : relating to, involving, or integrating economic activity from basic production to point of sale <a vertical monopoly> b : of, relating to, or comprising persons of different status <the vertical arrangement of society>
– vertical noun
– ver · ti · cal · i · ty \ ˌ v ə r-t ə - ' ka-l ə -t ē \ noun
– ver · ti · cal · ly \ ' v ə r-ti-k( ə -)l ē \ adverb
– ver · ti · cal · ness \ -k ə l-n ə s \ noun
synonyms VERTICAL , PERPENDICULAR , PLUMB mean being at right angles to a base line. VERTICAL suggests a line or direction rising straight upward toward a zenith <the side of the cliff is almost vertical >. PERPENDICULAR may stress the straightness of a line making a right angle with any other line, not necessarily a horizontal one <the parallel bars are perpendicular to the support posts>. PLUMB stresses an exact verticality determined (as with a plumb line) by earth's gravity <make sure that the wall is plumb >.