rectilinear

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Etymology

From post-Classical Latin -; either from rectilīneāris or from rectilīneus (whence rectiline) + -ar, in both cases ultimately deriving from rectus ("straight") + līnea ("line").

Pronunciation

• (America) IPA: /ˌɹɛktɪˈlɪniɚ/
• (RP) IPA: /ˌɹɛktɪˈlɪnɪə/

Adjective

rectilinear

1. In a straight line.

   The crankshaft and connecting rods of an engine convert the rectilinear motion of the pistons to rotary motion of the flywheel.

2. (geometry, arts) Formed from straight lines.

Related terms

• rectangle
• rectangular
• recti-

• rectilineal
• rectilineally
• rectilineality
• rectilineal orbit
• near-rectilineal
• near-rectilineal orbit (NRO)
• near-rectilineal halo orbit (NRO)

Translations

• German: geradlinig
• Italian: rettilineo
• Russian: прямолине́йный
• Spanish: rectilíneo

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