di|ag|o|nal

di|ag|o|nal «dy AG uh nuhl», noun, adjective, verb, -naled, -naling or (especially British) -nalled, -nal|ling.

–n.

1. a) a straight line or plane that cuts across in a slanting direction, often from corner to corner. b) Geometry. a line connecting two nonadjacent corners of a plane figure having four or more sides.

2. a) any slanting line, row, or arrangement of things. b) = virgule. (Cf. ↑virgule)

3. a part of any structure, such as a beam or plank, placed diagonally.

–adj.

1. taking the direction of a diagonal; slanting; oblique: »

a diagonal stripe in cloth. The ship sailed on a diagonal course across the Atlantic from New York to Cape Town.

SYNONYM(S): bias.

2. having slanting lines, ridges, or parts, or having some part placed diagonally or obliquely: »

a diagonal weave.

3. a) connecting two corners that are not next to each other in a four-sided or many-sided figure: »

a diagonal line.

b) (of a plane) extending from one edge of a polyhedron to another nonadjacent edge.

–v.i.

to move in a diagonal; diagonalize: »

Red tubes arch over a horizontal wall band of rainbow colors, then diagonal down to the floor (New York Times).

╂[< Latin diagōnālis < Greek diag from angle to angle < diá- across + goníā angle]

–di|ag´o|nal|ly, adverb.