oblique
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
English [edit]
Etymology [edit]
From Middle English, oblike, from Latin oblīquus (“slanting, sideways, indirect, envious”)
Pronunciation [edit]
Adjective [edit]
oblique (comparative more oblique, superlative most oblique)
- Not erect or perpendicular; neither parallel to, nor at right angles from, the base; slanting; inclined.
- It has a direction oblique to that of the former motion. - Cheyne.
- Not straightforward; indirect; obscure; hence, disingenuous; underhand; perverse; sinister.
- The love we bear our friends . . . Hath in it certain oblique ends. - Drayton.
- This mode of oblique research, when a more direct one is denied, we find to be the only one in our power. - De Quincey.
- Then would be closed the restless, oblique eye. / That looks for evil, like a treacherous spy. - Wordworth.
- Not direct in descent; not following the line of father and son; collateral.
- His natural affection in a direct line was strong, in an oblique but weak. - Baker.
- (botany, of leaves) Having the base of the blade asymmetrical, with one side larger or extending further than the other.
Translations [edit]
not erect or perpendicular; neither parallel to, nor at right angles from
not straightforward; indirect; obscure; hence, disingenuous; underhand; perverse; sinister
not direct in descent; not following the line of father and son; collateral
Derived terms [edit]
terms derived from oblique (adj)
Noun [edit]
oblique (plural obliques)
- (geometry) An oblique line.
- The punctuation sign "/"
- (grammar) The oblique case.
Verb [edit]
oblique (third-person singular simple present obliques, present participle obliquing, simple past and past participle obliqued)
- To deviate from a perpendicular line; to move in an oblique direction.
- Projecting his person towards it in a line which obliqued from the bottom of his spine. - Sir. W. Scott.
- (military) To march in a direction oblique to the line of the column or platoon; — formerly accomplished by oblique steps, now by direct steps, the men half-facing either to the right or left.
French [edit]
Etymology [edit]
Borrowed from Latin obliquus.
Pronunciation [edit]
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Audio (file)
Adjective [edit]
oblique (masculine and feminine, plural obliques)
Verb [edit]
oblique
- first-person singular present indicative of obliquer
- third-person singular present indicative of obliquer
- first-person singular present subjunctive of obliquer
- third-person singular present subjunctive of obliquer
- second-person singular imperative of obliquer
Italian [edit]
Adjective [edit]
oblique f
- Feminine plural form of obliquo
Latin [edit]
Adjective [edit]
oblīque
- vocative masculine singular of oblīquus
