ENGLISH
REFERENCE

orthogonal

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ɔɹˈθɔɡənəɫ// or·thog·o·nal

adj. describing two things that are completely independent or have no effect on each other. In math, it means two lines or vectors that form a right angle.

adj. having a right angle between them; independent or unrelated in effect or influence. In a statistical context, it describes variables that are uncorrelated and do not interfere with one another.


SIMPLE

The two factors are orthogonal, so they do not affect each other.

CONTEXTUAL

In the study, the researchers ensured that the variables were orthogonal to avoid any bias in the results.

COMPLEX

The system's design is based on orthogonal components, allowing each module to be developed and tested independently without impacting the overall stability of the software.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle French orthogonal, in turn from Medieval Latin orthogōnālis and Latin orthogōnius (“right-angled”), ultimately from Ancient Greek ὀρθογώνιος (orthogṓnios, “rectangular”). By surface analysis, ortho- + -gon + -al.

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