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Perpendicular vs Precipitous - What's the difference?

perpendicular | precipitous |

As adjectives the difference between perpendicular and precipitous

is that perpendicular is at or forming a right angle (to) while precipitous is steep, like a precipice; as, a precipitous cliff or mountain.

As a noun perpendicular

is a line or plane that is perpendicular to another.

perpendicular

English

(wikipedia perpendicular)

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • (geometry) At or forming a right angle (to).
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2012-03
    • , author=(Henry Petroski) , title=Opening Doors , volume=100, issue=2, page=112-3 , magazine= citation , passage=A doorknob of whatever roundish shape is effectively a continuum of levers, with the axis of the latching mechanism—known as the spindle—being the fulcrum about which the turning takes place. Applying a force tangential to the knob is essentially equivalent to applying one perpendicular to a radial line defining the lever.}}
    In most houses, the walls are perpendicular to the floor .

    Synonyms

    * evendown * normal * orthogonal

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (geometry) A line or plane that is perpendicular to another.
  • A device such as a plumb line that is used in making or marking a perpendicular line.

    • precipitous

    English

    (wikipedia precipitous)

    Adjective

    (head)
  • Steep, like a precipice; as, a precipitous cliff or mountain.
  • Headlong; as, precipitous fall.
  • Hasty; rash; quick; sudden; precipitate; as, precipitous attempts.
  • * 2007, J. Michael Fay, Ivory Wars: Last Stand in Zakouma , National Geographic (March 2007), 46,
    • ...humans have been responsible for a precipitous decline of elephants, from perhaps 300,000 in the early 1970s to some 10,000 today.
    (Webster 1913)

    Synonyms

    * (steep) brant