rectilinear

English

Etymology

From post-Classical (deprecated template usage) [etyl] 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

• Catalan: rectilini
• German: geradlinig (de)
• Italian: rettilineo (it)
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• Spanish: rectilíneo
• Swedish: rätlinjig (sv)

Further reading

• “rectilinear”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
• “rectilinear”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.