plumblines

Gravity-based straightness checkers

Plumblines are cords with weights attached, used to determine true vertical.

Builders and surveyors hang them to ensure walls and structures are perfectly upright.

The weight—traditionally lead—pulls the line straight down by gravity.

Figuratively, a plumbline is any standard for measuring correctness or integrity: The Constitution serves as a plumbline for American law.

verticality

perpendicular

At right angles

uprightVertical or morally sound
verticalAt right angles groundward
straightNot curved or crooked

true · gravity · drop · descent · depth · suspension · hanging · weight · bob · sinker

precision

accuracy

Degree of correctness

measurementDetermining size or amount
calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
exactnessCorrectness in every detail

true · vertical · perpendicular · alignment · straightness · deviation · tolerance · adjustment · checking · verification

construction

level

Horizontal or uniform position

masonryBuilding with mortared blocks
bricklayingConstructing with mortared blocks
foundationUnderlying support structure

wall · carpentry · surveying · scaffolding · blueprint · site · contractor · building · framing · joists

metaphor

standard

Level of quality accepted

ethicsStudy of right conduct
principlesFoundational moral beliefs
righteousnessMoral correctness or virtue

truth · integrity · guidance · scripture · judgment · divine · biblical · prophet · Amos · justice

Opposites

orientation measurement

plumblineslevels

Heights or ranked stages

spirit levels · bubble levels · laser levels · horizontal lines · straightedges

alignment vs. misalignment

plumblinescrooked

Bent or dishonest

askew · leaning · tilted · skewed · canted

precision vs. approximation

plumblinesdeviation

Departure from expected path

skew · off-kilter · misalignment · warped · bent

Family

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G