rectangle
UK[ˈrek.tæŋ.ɡl̩]US[ˈrek.tæŋ.ɡl̩]
n
A flat shape with four straight sides and four right angles, especially one with adjacent sides of unequal length.
Morpheme Breakdown
rect
angle
rect
straight
angle
corner
Etymology
The word "rectangle" is a direct borrowing from the Late Latin rectangulum, which itself is a compound of rectus ("straight, right") and angulum ("angle"). The term literally means "a right-angled" figure. This logical construction highlights the defining geometric property of the shape: all its internal angles are right angles, meaning they are straight (90 degrees). Over time, the term evolved from this literal description of "right-angled" to specifically denote a quadrilateral where opposite sides are parallel and equal, with the emphasis on the right angles distinguishing it from other parallelograms.
Analysis
Structure: rect (straight) + angle (corner)
- rect: From Latin rectus, meaning "straight, right, correct." In this word, it functions as a root indicating straightness or rightness.
- angle: From Latin angulus, meaning "corner." In this word, it functions as the core noun, modified by the preceding root.
Examples
The page was a perfect rectangle of white paper.
Calculate the area of the rectangle by multiplying its length by its width.
She drew a rectangle on the chalkboard to represent the classroom floor.