Where does “rectangle” come from?
Rectangle comes from Latin rectangulum, composed of Latin rectus (straight) and Latin angulus (corner), both ultimately from Proto-Indo-European h₃reǵ- meaning to straighten or direct.
rectangle (English): A quadrilateral having opposing sides parallel...
Definitions
- A quadrilateral having opposing sides parallel...
Ancestry of “rectangle”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Latin | rectangulum | nominative neuter singular of rēctangulus;... |
| 2 | Latin | rēctus | led straight along, drawn in a straight line, straight, upright |
| 3 | Latin | regō | to rule, govern, direct |
| 4 | Proto-Italic | regō | — |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | h₃réǵeti | to be straightening, to be setting upright |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | h₃reǵ- | to straighten, to right oneself; right; just |