rectilinear

English

Etymology

From post-Classical Latin; either from rectilīneāris or from rectilīneus (whence rectiline) + -ar, in both cases ultimately deriving from rectus (“straight”) + līnea (“line”).

Adjective

rectilinear (comparative more rectilinear, superlative most rectilinear)

1. In a straight line.

   The crankshaft and connecting rods of an engine convert the rectilinear motion of the pistons to rotary motion of the flywheel.

2. (geometry, art) Formed from straight lines.

Related terms

• rectangle
• rectangular
• rectilineal
• rectilinearity
• rectilinearly

Translations

in a straight line

• German: geradlinig (de)
• Italian: rettilineo (it)

• Swedish: rätlinjig (sv)

External links

• rectilinear in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
• rectilinear at OneLook Dictionary Search