o·blique  (ō-blēk', ə-blēk') 
adj. Having a slanting or sloping direction, course, or position; inclined. Mathematics Designating geometric lines or planes that are neither parallel nor perpendicular. Indirect or evasive: oblique political maneuvers. Devious, misleading, or dishonest: gave oblique answers to the questions.
Botany Having sides of unequal length or form: an oblique leaf. Anatomy Situated in a slanting position; not transverse or longitudinal: oblique muscles or ligaments. Indirect or evasive: oblique political maneuvers. Devious, misleading, or dishonest: gave oblique answers to the questions.
Not direct in descent; collateral. Grammar Designating any noun case except the nominative or the vocative.
n. An oblique thing, such as a line, direction, or muscle. Nautical The act of changing course by less than 90°.
adv.
(ō-blīk', ə-blīk')
At an angle of 45°.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin oblīquus.]
o·blique'ly adv., o·blique'ness n. |
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