oblique
adjective
1. 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
Similar word(s): convergent, divergent, diverging, inclined, bias, catacorner, catercorner, crabwise, sideways, diagonal, nonparallel
2. not straightforward or honest; misleading.
- gave oblique answers to direct questions
- oblique political maneuvers
noun
1. any grammatical case other than the nominative
Definition categories: communication, case
2. a diagonally arranged abdominal muscle on either side of the torso
verb
1. (intransitive) To deviate from a perpendicular line; to move in an oblique direction.
2. (military) To march in a direction oblique to the line of the column or platoon; — formerly accomplished by oblique steps, now by direct steps, the men half-facing either to the right or left.
3. (transitive, computing) To slant (text, etc.) at an angle.