View synonyms for straightedge

straightedge

[ streyt-ej ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a bar or strip of wood, plastic, or metal having at least one long edge of sufficiently reliable straightness for use in drawing or testing straight lines, plane surfaces, etc.

straightedge

/ ˈstreɪtˌɛdʒ /

a stiff strip of wood or metal that has one edge straight and true and is used for ruling and testing straight lines

First recorded in 1805–15; straight + edge

The first requisite for this is a straightedge of iron or brass, as true as possible.

It is necessary also that the straightedge be applied frequently.

The cutter is guided along the straightedge as shown in Fig. 1.

The straightedge and the compasses are the only two drawing instruments recognized in elementary geometry.

In other words, the trisection of any angle, by the use of the straightedge and compasses alone, is impossible.

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