right-angle
|right-an-gle|
/ˈraɪtˌæŋɡəl/
90-degree corner
Etymology
'right-angle' is a compound of English 'right' and 'angle'. 'Right' comes from Old English 'riht' meaning 'straight' or 'correct', and 'angle' ultimately from Latin 'angulus' meaning 'corner' or 'bend' (via Old French/Old English).
'angle' comes from Latin 'angulus', passed into Old French and Old English as forms like 'angle'/'angel', and into Middle English as 'angle'; 'right' comes from Old English 'riht'. The compound sense 'right-angle' (a corner of ninety degrees) developed in Late Middle English as geometric terminology became standardized.
Originally the elements meant 'straight/correct' (right) and 'corner/bend' (angle); over time the compound became a technical term referring specifically to a corner of 90 degrees.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an angle of 90 degrees formed by two perpendicular lines or surfaces.
The carpenter checked the bookshelf to ensure each corner formed a right-angle.
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Adjective 1
forming or having a right angle; at a 90-degree angle.
They built a frame with right-angle corners for extra stability.
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Last updated: 2025/12/26 23:34