Oblique

Pronunciation

• IPA: /oʊˈbliːk/, /əˈbliːk/
• Rhymes: -iːk

Origin

From Middle English, oblike, from Latin oblīquus ("slanting, sideways, indirect, envious")

Full definition of oblique

Adjective

1. Not erect or perpendicular; neither parallel to, nor at right angles from, the base; slanting; inclined.
• CheyneIt has a direction oblique to that of the former motion.
2. Not straightforward; indirect; obscure; hence, disingenuous; underhand; perverse; sinister.
• DraytonThe love we bear our friends ... Hath in it certain oblique ends.
• De QuinceyThis mode of oblique research, when a more direct one is denied, we find to be the only one in our power.
• WordsworthThen would be closed the restless, oblique eye
  That looks for evil, like a treacherous spy.
3. Not direct in descent; not following the line of father and son; collateral.
• BakerHis natural affection in a direct line was strong, in an oblique but weak.
4. (botany, of leaves) Having the base of the blade asymmetrical, with one side larger or extending further than the other.

Derived terms

Noun

1. (geometry) An oblique line.
2. The punctuation sign "/"
3. (grammar) The oblique case.

Verb

1. To deviate from a perpendicular line; to move in an oblique direction.
• Projecting his person towards it in a line which obliqued from the bottom of his spine. - Sir. W. Scott.
2. (military) To march in a direction oblique to the line of the column or platoon; — formerly accomplished by oblique steps, now by direct steps, the men half-facing either to the right or left.----