oblique Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun any grammatical case other than the nominative
    oblique case.
  2. noun a diagonally arranged abdominal muscle on either side of the torso
    abdominal external oblique muscle; external oblique muscle; musculus obliquus externus abdominis.
  3. adjective slanting or inclined in direction or course or position--neither parallel nor perpendicular nor right-angled
    • the oblique rays of the winter sun
    • acute and obtuse angles are oblique angles
    • the axis of an oblique cone is not perpendicular to its base
  4. adjective satellite indirect in departing from the accepted or proper way; misleading
    devious.
    • used devious means to achieve success
    • gave oblique answers to direct questions
    • oblique political maneuvers

WordNet


Ob*lique" adjective
Etymology
F., fr. L. obliquus; ob (see Ob-) + liquis oblique; cf. licinus bent upward, Gr slanting.
Definitions
  1. Not erect or perpendicular; neither parallel to, nor at right angles from, the base; slanting; inclined.
    It has a direction oblique to that of the former motion. Cheyne.
  2. Not straightforward; indirect; obscure; hence, disingenuous; underhand; perverse; sinister.
    The love we bear our friends... Hath in it certain oblique ends. Drayton.
    This mode of oblique research, when a more direct one is denied, we find to be the only one in our power. De Quincey.
    Then would be closed the restless, oblique eye. That looks for evil, like a treacherous spy. Wordworth.
  3. Not direct in descent; not following the line of father and son; collateral.
    His natural affection in a direct line was strong, in an oblique but weak. Baker.
Ob*lique" noun
Definitions
  1. (Geom.) An oblique line.
Ob*lique" intransitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Obliqued present participle & verbal noun Obliquing
Definitions
  1. To deviate from a perpendicular line; to move in an oblique direction.
    Projecting his person towards it in a line which obliqued from the bottom of his spine. Sir. W. Scott.
  2. (Mil.) To march in a direction oblique to the line of the column or platoon; -- formerly accomplished by oblique steps, now by direct steps, the men half-facing either to the right or left.

Webster 1913