Definition of oblique

The word "oblique" has its roots in Latin. In Latin, the word "obliquus" meant "slanted" or "inclined", which is derived from "ob" meaning "against" and "liquus" meaning "of the shoulder" or "slanted". This Latin word was later adopted into Middle French as "oquil", and then into Middle English as "obliqu". In English, the word initially referred to something that was slanted or at an angle. Over time, the meaning of "oblique" expanded to include words that were indirect, circuits, or not straightforward, such as "oblique speech" or "oblique motives". By the 16th century, the word had also taken on connotations of cunning, deception, or evasiveness, as in "to speak in an oblique manner". Today, "oblique" can refer to a wide range of meanings, including geometric angles, linguistic indirectness, or even partisan or biased perspectives. Despite its changes in meaning, the word "oblique" remains rooted in its Latin origins, conveying a sense of slant or deviation from the straight or direct path.