Orthogonal vs Rectilinear - What's the difference?

As adjectives the difference between orthogonal and rectilinear

is that orthogonal is of two objects, at right angles; perpendicular to each other while rectilinear is in a straight line.

(Orthogonality)

(-)

(geometry) Of two objects, at right angles; perpendicular to each other.

A chord and the radius that bisects it are orthogonal .

(mathematics)

# Of a pair of vectors: having a zero inner product; perpendicular.

The normal vector and tangent vector at a given point are orthogonal .

# Of a square matrix: such that its transpose is equal to its inverse.

# Of a linear transformation: preserving its angles.

# Of grid graphs, board games and polyominoes: vertical or horizontal but not diagonal.

(statistics) Statistically independent, with reference to variates.

(software engineering) Of two or more aspects of a problem, able to be treated separately.

The content of the message should be orthogonal to the means of its delivery.

Of two or more problems or subjects, independent of or irrelevant to each other.

* orthogonality

(en adjective)

In a straight line.

The crankshaft and connecting rods of an engine convert the rectilinear motion of the pistons to rotary motion of the flywheel.

(geometry, arts) Formed from straight lines.

* *