vertical

 
Pronunciation: /ˈvəːtɪk(ə)l/

adjective

  • 1at right angles to a horizontal plane; in a direction, or having an alignment, such that the top is directly above the bottom: the vertical axis keep your back vertical
  • 2involving different levels or stages of a hierarchy or process.
  • involving all the stages from the production to the sale of a class of goods: we need more vertical cooperation between manufacturers and service providers
  • (especially of the transmission of disease or genetic traits) passed from one generation to the next: vertical transmission of HIV infection
  • 3 Anatomy relating to the crown of the head.
  • 4 archaic denoting a point at the zenith or the highest point of something.

noun

  • 1 (usually the vertical) a vertical line or plane: the columns incline several degrees away from the vertical
  • 2an upright structure: we remodelled the opening with a simple lintel and unadorned verticals
  • 3the distance between the highest and lowest points of a ski area: the resort claims a vertical of 2,100 metres

Derivatives

verticality

Pronunciation: /-ˈkalɪti/
noun

verticalize

(also verticalise) verb

vertically

adverb

Origin:

mid 16th century (in the sense 'directly overhead'): from French, or from late Latin verticalis, from vertex (see vertex)