oblique
pronunciation
How to pronounce oblique in British English:
UK [əˈbli:k]
How to pronounce oblique in American English:
US [oˈblik, əˈblik]
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- Noun:
- any grammatical case other than the nominative
- a diagonally arranged abdominal muscle on either side of the torso
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- Adjective:
- slanting or inclined in direction or course or position--neither parallel nor perpendicular nor right-angular
- indirect in departing from the accepted or proper way; misleading
Word Origin
- oblique (adj.)
- early 15c., from Middle French oblique (14c.) and directly from Latin obliquus "slanting, sidelong, indirect," from ob "against" (see ob-) + root of licinus "bent upward," from PIE root *lei- "to bend, be movable" (see limb (n.1)). As a type of muscles, in reference to the axis of the body, 1610s (adj.), 1800 (n.). Related: Obliquely; obliqueness.
Example
- 1. There will be tragedy , of course , though when it comes it takes a weirdly oblique form .
- 2. But the g20 did not go beyond an oblique reference to the need for " greater involvement of the fund 's governors in providing strategic direction to the imf . "
- 3. Waves are generally steered ashore by the prevailing winds , often blowing at oblique ( slanted ) angles to the shoreline .
- 4. Their oblique approach is to aim instead for a world with accessible , secure low cost energy for all .
- 5. This oblique view of the lower mound in gale crater shows layers of rock that preserve a record of environments on mars .