vertical
adj
1 at right angles to the horizon; perpendicular; upright
a vertical wall Compare →
horizontal →
1
2 extending in a perpendicular direction
3 at or in the vertex or zenith; directly overhead
4 (Economics) of or relating to associated or consecutive, though not identical, stages of industrial activity
vertical integration, vertical amalgamation
5 of or relating to the vertex
6 (Anatomy) of, relating to, or situated at the top of the head (vertex)
n
7 a vertical plane, position, or line
8 a vertical post, pillar, or other structural member (C16: from Late Latin verticalis, from Latin vertex) ♦
verticality n ♦
vertically adv
prime vertical
n (Astronomy) the great circle passing through the observer's zenith and meeting the horizon due east and west
vertical angles
pl n (Geometry) the pair of equal angles between a pair of intersecting lines; opposite angles, (Also called)
vertically opposite angles
vertical circle
n (Astronomy) a great circle on the celestial sphere passing through the zenith and perpendicular to the horizon
vertical grouping
n another term for →
family grouping
vertical mobility
n (Sociol) the movement of individuals or groups to positions in society that involve a change in class, status, and power
Compare →
horizontal mobility
See also →
upward mobility →
downward mobility
vertical stabilizer
n the U.S. name for →
fin 1 →
3a
vertical union
n another name (esp. U.S.) for →
industrial union