o·blique ( -bl k , -bl k )adj.1. a. Having a slanting or sloping direction, course, or position; inclined. b. Mathematics Designating geometric lines or planes that are neither parallel nor perpendicular. 2. Botany Having sides of unequal length or form: an oblique leaf. 3. Anatomy Situated in a slanting position; not transverse or longitudinal: oblique muscles or ligaments. 4. a. Indirect or evasive: oblique political maneuvers. b. Devious, misleading, or dishonest: gave oblique answers to the questions. 5. Not direct in descent; collateral. 6. Grammar Designating any noun case except the nominative or the vocative. n.1. An oblique thing, such as a line, direction, or muscle. 2. Nautical The act of changing course by less than 90°.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin obl quus.]
o·blique ly adv. o·blique ness n. |
oblique [oh-bleak] Adjective 1. at an angle; slanting 2. Geom (of lines or planes) neither perpendicular nor parallel to one another 3. indirect or evasive: only oblique references have been made to the anti-government unrest Noun obliquely adv obliqueness n
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms | Noun | 1. | oblique - any grammatical case other than the nominativegrammatical case, case - nouns or pronouns or adjectives (often marked by inflection) related in some way to other words in a sentence vocative, vocative case - the case (in some inflected languages) used when the referent of the noun is being addressed ablative, ablative case - the case indicating the agent in passive sentences or the instrument or manner or place of the action described by the verb | | 2. | oblique - a diagonally arranged abdominal muscle on either side of the torso | | Adj. | 1. | oblique - slanting or inclined in direction or course or position--neither parallel nor perpendicular nor right-angled; "the oblique rays of the winter sun"; "acute and obtuse angles are oblique angles"; "the axis of an oblique cone is not perpendicular to its base"convergent - tending to come together from different directions inclined - at an angle to the horizontal or vertical position; "an inclined plane" parallel - being everywhere equidistant and not intersecting; "parallel lines never converge"; "concentric circles are parallel"; "dancers in two parallel rows" perpendicular - intersecting at or forming right angles; "the axes are perpendicular to each other" | | 2. | oblique - indirect in departing from the accepted or proper way; misleading; "used devious means to achieve success"; "gave oblique answers to direct questions"; "oblique political maneuvers"indirect - extended senses; not direct in manner or language or behavior or action; "making indirect but legitimate inquiries"; "an indirect insult"; "doubtless they had some indirect purpose in mind"; "though his methods are indirect they are not dishonest"; "known as a shady indirect fellow" |
oblique adjective 2. slanting, angled, sloped, sloping, inclined, tilted, tilting, slanted, diagonal, at an angle, asymmetrical, canted, aslant, slantwise, atilt, cater-cornered U.S. ( informal)
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