Advertisement
Advertisement
orthogonal
[ awr-thog-uh-nl ]
adjective
- Mathematics.
- (of a system of real functions) defined so that the integral of the product of any two different functions is zero.
- (of a system of complex functions) defined so that the integral of the product of a function times the complex conjugate of any other function equals zero.
- (of two vectors) having an inner product equal to zero.
- (of a linear transformation) defined so that the length of a vector under the transformation equals the length of the original vector.
- (of a square matrix) defined so that its product with its transpose results in the identity matrix.
- Crystallography. referable to a rectangular set of axes.
- having no bearing on the matter at hand; independent of or irrelevant to another thing or each other:
It’s an interesting question, but orthogonal to our exploration of the right to privacy.
orthogonal
/ ɔːˈθɒɡəə /
adjective
- relating to, consisting of, or involving right angles; perpendicular
- maths
- (of a pair of vectors) having a defined scalar product equal to zero
- (of a pair of functions) having a defined product equal to zero
orthogonal
/ ô-ٳŏ′ə-ə /
- Relating to or composed of right angles.
- Relating to a matrix whose transpose equals its inverse.
- Relating to a linear transformation that preserves the length of vectors.
Derived Forms
- ǰˈٳDzDzԲ, adverb
Other 51Թ Forms
- ǰ·ٳDz··Բ··ٲ [awr-thog-, uh, -, nal, -i-tee], noun
- ǰ·ٳDz··Բ· adverb
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of orthogonal1
Example Sentences
The "treadmill" also employed two high-speed orthogonal cameras to capture unique locomotion features -- one a side view, the other from the bottom.
Their core provisions were always unlikely to substantially affect turnout or election outcomes — and they were also mostly orthogonal to the weak spots in the electoral system that Trump’s knavery attempted to exploit.
“It is these areas where the flow will be orthogonal to the terrain and the greatest rainfall totals realized,” the Weather Prediction Center said.
It encompasses an orthogonal attack on its targets — not merely the contraceptive mandate, but the ACA’s other mandates.
Lines accreted in an essentially radial configuration, with large arcs orbiting an absent central axis, and orthogonal spokes sprouting from the core.
Advertisement
Related 51Թs
More About Orthogonal
What doesorthogonal mean?
Orthogonal means relating to or involving lines that are perpendicular or that form right angles, as in This design incorporates many orthogonal elements. Another word for this is orthographic.
When lines are perpendicular, they intersect or meet to form a right angle. For example, the corners of squares and rectangles are all right angles.
Orthogonal is a mathematical term that is also used in much more technical ways pertaining to vectors and functions.
However, orthogonal is also sometimes used in a figurative way meaning unrelated, separate, in opposition, or irrelevant. In this sense, it means about the opposite of parallel when parallel means corresponding or similar.
Example: Not everything happens according to a grand scheme—some events are simply orthogonal to each other.
Where doesorthogonal come from?
The first records of orthogonal in English come from the 1500s. It ultimately comes from the Greek ǰٳDzṓnDz, meaning “right-angled (shape).” This Greek root is composed of the elements ortho-, “straight, upright, right,” and –ōԾDz, “angled.”
Orthogonal is commonly used in mathematics, geometry, statistics, and software engineering. Most generally, it’s used to describe things that have rectangular or right-angled elements. More technically, in the context of vectors and functions, orthogonal means “having a product equal to zero.”
More recently, orthogonal has come to be used in a figurative way. It’s typically applied to two things to describe them as independent of or irrelevant to each other. Sometimes it implies that they are in opposition to each other in some way, perhaps because they have divergent goals or outcomes or causes.
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms related to orthogonal?
- orthogonality (noun)
- orthogonally (adverb)
What are some synonyms for orthogonal?
What are some words that share a root or word element with orthogonal?
What are some words that often get used in discussing orthogonal?
How isorthogonal used in real life?
Orthogonal is commonly used in the context of things designed with right angles. It’s figurative use is often applied to events considered unrelated to each other.
big kudos for the new shape tool improvements. Been waiting for ages on this. While a whole lot better, maybe the degree of orthogonal filtering could be adjustable? this would be useful for drawing squares/rectangles
— Simon (@essweebee)
There is the demographic in power, threatened with losing power, fighting to preserve it. There is an unwieldy coalition of outsider demographics, fighting to spread the power/money/privileges more broadly & fairly. The "size of gov't" debate is orthogonal to that, a sideshow.
— David Roberts (@drvox)
That's the thing. My friends in history will tell you that the present makes enormous efforts to ignore, forget, lie, cheat, or otherwise condemn the past. The present has typically an orthogonal relationship with the past. Disease straightens the relationship.
— Stephen T Casper (@TheNeuroTimes)
Try usingorthogonal!
Is orthogonal used correctly in the following sentence?
The bridge’s orthogonal design not only makes it aesthetically pleasing but also structurally sound.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse