Subject: Re: [HM] Perpendicular ...
From: Julio Gonzalez Cabillon (jgc@adinet.com.uy)
Date: Thu Aug 03 2000 - 15:30:18 EDT
On 21 Jul 2000, John McKay <MCKAY@vax2.concordia.ca> wrote:
| I note that little distinction is paid as to the original meaning
| of perpendicular. It has a useful meaning. Why is it not observed?
|
| I suggest that "orthogonal" be used where the sense is not that of
| vertical (hanging).
|
| Any comments?
On 22 Jul 2000, Pat Ballew <pat_ballew@pac.odedodea.edu> wrote:
> [...] Orthogonal seems to have the same problem in my mind, as
> perpendicular since it comes from meanings of straight and erect.
> ...
> I would love to hear your reasons for orthogonal.
Dear Pat Ballew,
I see a great difference (etymologically) between "orthogonal" and
"perpendicular".
Roughly speaking, "perpendicular" comes from the Latin 'per' +
'pendere' (to hang). A 'perpendiculum', for instance, is a plumb
line (a plummet). In English you have cognates like "pendant"
(also "pendent") with the idea that "something is suspended" (for
instance, a piece of jewellery allowed to hang free). "Pendulum"
('pendulus') is also interesting to discuss.
However, the term "orthogonal" quickly descends from Greek roots,
which should be well-known to you.
Regards,
Julio Gonzalez Cabillon
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b28 : Thu Aug 03 2000 - 15:53:00 EDT