perpendicular

Hammerheads stand out from other shark species by the distinctive shape of their heads, which stick out perpendicular to their bodies in the shape of, well, a hammer.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 15, 2026

Cars parked perpendicular to the kerb often conceal footpaths or block them altogether, while vehicles parked directly on pavements are a common sight.

From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026

As a result, the crystal behaves like a metal along one axis and like a dielectric material along the perpendicular axis, creating its exceptionally strong anisotropy.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 1, 2026

In the end, some 8,000 small seismic events were induced along the targeted fault, but also, surprisingly, along other faults running perpendicular to the main one, sparking local magnitudes ranging from -5 to -0.14.

From Barron's ● May 11, 2026

It proved that the creature had indeed turned almost directly to the left, perpendicular to the path.

From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull

She uses a measuring stick to set the plants an equal distance apart, and as the beds are connected, the effect is one of perfectly aligned diagonals and perpendiculars.

From New York Times ● Jul. 1, 2010

Under those glorious perpendiculars . . . this gesticulating gigolo in gilt.

From Time Magazine Archive

When the shadow of the cylinder accurately covers the disk, we are sure that the rays fall, as perpendiculars, on the upturned surface of the cylinder.

From A Treatise on Meteorological Instruments Explanatory of Their Scientific Principles, Method of Construction, and Practical Utility by Henry Negretti

The converse likewise is manifest: For the perpendiculars given do halfe them: And the halfes as before are equall.

From The Way To Geometry by William Bedwell

For by the 7 e, let the diameter yu, fall upon the point of the common section u; And let ys, and sr, be perpendiculars.

From The Way To Geometry by William Bedwell