Perpendicular

pėr-pen-dik′ū-lar, adj. exactly upright: extending in a straight line toward the centre of the earth: ( geom. ) at right angles to a given line or surface.— n. a perpendicular line or plane.— n. Perpendicular′ity , state of being perpendicular.— adv. Perpendic′ularly .— Perpendicular style , a style of Gothic architecture in England which succeeded the Decorated style, prevailing from the end of the 14th to the middle of the 16th century, contemporary with the Flamboyant style in France, marked by stiff and rectilinear lines, mostly vertical window-tracery, depre ed or four-centre arch, fan-tracery vaulting, and panelled walls. [Fr.,—L. perpendicular is — perpendiculum , a plumb-line— per , through, pendĕre , to weigh.]