diametrically

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English

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WOTD – 15 November 2011

Etymology

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From diametrical +‎ -ly.[1]

Pronunciation

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Adverb

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diametrically (comparative more diametrically, superlative most diametrically)

  1. Separated by a diameter, on exactly the opposite side.
  2. (especially in the phrase diametrically opposed) Absolutely (in opposition).
    • 1831, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], Romance and Reality. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, […], →OCLC, pages 141–142:
      "I do not see that we are at all called upon to pay so costly a compliment to society, as to assume a character diametrically opposed to our real one,—to utter sentiments we secretly disbelieve,—and to be as angry with our better nature for bursting from restraint, as at other times with our own inferior nature for refusing to submit to it.
    • 2013 September 28, Kenan Malik, “London Is Special, but Not That Special”, in New York Times, retrieved 28 September 2013:
      The distinctness of London has led many to clamor for the capital to pursue its own policies, especially on immigration. The British prime minister, David Cameron, is a Conservative. So is the mayor of London, Boris Johnson. But they have diametrically opposed views on immigration.

Derived terms

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Translations

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References

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  1. ^ Douglas Harper (2001–2024) “diametrically”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.
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