rect
Latinstraight, right
About This Root
From Latin rēctus (straight, right, upright), past participle of regere (to guide, rule). The 'straight/right' sense branches into geometry (rectangle, rectilinear), morality (rectitude, correct), and physical posture (erect, upright). Rectify means to set straight. Adroit came through French, originally meaning 'toward the right.'
Associated Words · 10
correct
Free from error; accurate (adj.); to fix a mistake (v.)
correction
A change that fixes an error; the act of setting something right
erect
To build or raise upright; standing vertically
upright
Vertical; honest and morally correct; a vertical support
rectangular
Having the shape of a rectangle; meeting at right angles
rectangle
A four-sided shape with four right angles
rectify
To correct an error or put an undesirable situation right
rectitude
Moral uprightness and strict adherence to ethical principles
adroit
Clever, skillful, and dexterous
undirected
Without clear aim or guidance; aimless