*perpen*

v. i. To attend; to be attentive. [ R. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. parpaing, pierre parpaigne; of uncertain origin. ] (Masonry) A large stone reaching through a wall so as to appear on both sides of it, and acting as a binder; -- called also perbend, perpend stone, and perpent stone. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. perpendiculum; per + pendere to hang: cf. F. perpendicule. ] Something hanging straight down; a plumb line. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. perpendicularis, perpendicularius: cf. F. perpendiculaire. See Perpendicle, Pension. ] 1. Exactly upright or vertical; pointing to the zenith; at right angles to the plane of the horizon; extending in a right line from any point toward the center of the earth. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Geom.) At right angles to a given line or surface; as, the line ad is perpendicular to the line bc. [ 1913 Webster ]

Perpendicular style (Arch.), a name given to the latest variety of English Gothic architecture, which prevailed from the close of the 14th century to the early part of the 16th; -- probably so called from the vertical style of its window mullions. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A line at right angles to the plane of the horizon; a vertical line or direction. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Geom.) A line or plane falling at right angles on another line or surface, or making equal angles with it on each side. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. perpendicularité. ] The quality or state of being perpendicular. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a perpendicular manner; vertically. [ 1913 Webster ]

See Perpender. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Perpend. ] Careful consideration; pondering. [ Obs. ] Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Perpension. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]