straightedge

[ streyt-ej ]
/ ˈstreɪtˌɛdʒ /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR straightedge ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a bar or strip of wood, plastic, or metal having at least one long edge of sufficiently reliable straightness for use in drawing or testing straight lines, plane surfaces, etc.

Origin of straightedge

First recorded in 1805–15; straight + edge

Words nearby straightedge

straight-from-the-shoulder, straight-laced, straight-line, straight-out, straightaway, straightedge, straighten, straighten out, straighten up, straightforward, straightjacket

Definition for straightedge (2 of 2)

straight-edge
[ streyt-ej ]
/ ˈstreɪtˌɛdʒ /

adjective

advocating abstinence from alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, and sex and sometimes advocating vegetarianism.

Words related to straightedge

yardstick, rule, measure, T-square

Example sentences from the Web for straightedge

British Dictionary definitions for straightedge (1 of 2)

straightedge
/ (ˈstreɪtˌɛdʒ) /

noun

a stiff strip of wood or metal that has one edge straight and true and is used for ruling and testing straight lines

Derived forms of straightedge

straightedged, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for straightedge (2 of 2)

straight-edge

adjective

informal not indulging in any kind of drug-taking or sexual activities