Diagonal
Diagonal , adjective
[Latin diagonalis, from Greek diagw`nios from to angle; dia` through + gwni`a an angle; perh. akin to English knee: compare French diagonal.]
(Geometry) Joining two not adjacent angles of a quadrilateral or multilateral figure; running across from corner to corner; crossing at an angle with one of the sides.
Collocations (7)
Diagonal built (Shipbuilding) , built by forming the outer skin of two layers of planking, making angles of about 45° with the keel, in opposite directions.
Diagonal cleavage , See under Cleavage.
Diagonal molding (Architecture) , a chevron or zigzag molding.
Diagonal scale , a scale which consists of a set of parallel lines, with other lines crossing them obliquely, so that their intersections furnish smaller subdivisions of the unit of measure than could be conveniently marked on a plain scale.
Diagonal , noun
1.
A right line drawn from one angle to another not adjacent, of a figure of four or more sides, and dividing it into two parts.
2.
(Engineering) A member, in a framed structure, running obliquely across a panel.
3.
A diagonal cloth; a kind of cloth having diagonal stripes, ridges, or welts made in the weaving.