a. [ Gr. brachy`s short + E. diagonal. ] Pertaining to the shorter diagonal, as of a rhombic prism. [ 1913 Webster ]

Brachydiagonal axis, the shorter lateral axis of an orthorhombic crystal. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The shorter of the diagonals in a rhombic prism. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_;; chi`lioi a thousand + &unr_; angle. ] A plane figure of a thousand angles and sides. Barlow. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. kli`nein to incline + E. diagonal. ] (Crystallog.) That diagonal or lateral axis in a monoclinic crystal which makes an oblique angle with the vertical axis. See Crystallization. -- a. Pertaining to, or the direction of, the clinodiagonal. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_; to transmit + -meter. ] A sort of electroscope, invented by Rousseau, in which the dry pile is employed to measure the amount of electricity transmitted by different bodies, or to determine their conducting power. Nichol. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. diagonalis, fr. Gr. &unr_; from to angle; dia` through + &unr_; an angle; perh. akin to E. knee: cf. F. diagonal. ] (Geom.) Joining two not adjacent angles of a quadrilateral or multilateral figure; running across from corner to corner; crossing at an angle with one of the sides. [ 1913 Webster ]

Diagonal bond (Masonry), herringbone work. See Herringbone, a. --
Diagonal built (Shipbuilding), built by forming the outer skin of two layers of planking, making angles of about 45° with the keel, in opposite directions. --
Diagonal cleavage. See under Cleavage. --
Diagonal molding (Arch.), a chevron or zigzag molding. --
Diagonal rib. (Arch.) See Cross-springer. --
Diagonal scale, a scale which consists of a set of parallel lines, with other lines crossing them obliquely, so that their intersections furnish smaller subdivisions of the unit of measure than could be conveniently marked on a plain scale. --
Diagonal stratification. (Geol.) Same as Cross bedding, under Cross, a. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A right line drawn from one angle to another not adjacent, of a figure of four or more sides, and dividing it into two parts. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Engin.) A member, in a framed structure, running obliquely across a panel. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A diagonal cloth; a kind of cloth having diagonal stripes, ridges, or welts made in the weaving. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. (Math.) able to be diagonalized; -- of a matrix. [ PJC ]

v. t. (Math.) to transform a matrix to a diagonal matrix. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

adv. In a diagonal direction. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Diagonal; diametrical; hence; diametrically opposed. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Sin can have no tenure by law at all, but is rather an eternal outlaw, and in hostility with law past all atonement; both diagonal contraries, as much allowing one another as day and night together in one hemisphere. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Macro- + diagonal. ] (Crystallog.) The longer of two diagonals, as of a rhombic prism. See Crystallization. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Ortho- + diagonal. ] (Crystallog.) The diagonal or lateral axis in a monoclinic crystal which is at right angles with the vertical axis. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ Native name. ] (Zool.) A small, burrowing, South American edentate (Chlamyphorus truncatus), allied to the armadillos. The shell is attached only along the back. [ Written also pichyciego. ] [ 1913 Webster ]