Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Oblique \Ob*lique"\, a. [F., fr. L. obliquus; ob (see {Ob-}) +
   liquis oblique; cf. licinus bent upward, Gr ? slanting.]
   [Written also {oblike}.]
   1. Not erect or perpendicular; neither parallel to, nor at
      right angles from, the base; slanting; inclined.

            It has a direction oblique to that of the former
            motion.                               --Cheyne.

   2. Not straightforward; indirect; obscure; hence,
      disingenuous; underhand; perverse; sinister.

            The love we bear our friends . . . Hath in it
            certain oblique ends.                 --Drayton.

            This mode of oblique research, when a more direct
            one is denied, we find to be the only one in our
            power.                                --De Quincey.

            Then would be closed the restless, oblique eye. That
            looks for evil, like a treacherous spy. --Wordworth.

   3. Not direct in descent; not following the line of father
      and son; collateral.

            His natural affection in a direct line was strong,
            in an oblique but weak.               --Baker.

   {Oblique angle}, {Oblique ascension}, etc. See under
      {Angle},{Ascension}, etc.

   {Oblique arch} (Arch.), an arch whose jambs are not at right
      angles with the face, and whose intrados is in consequence
      askew.

   {Oblique bridge}, a skew bridge. See under {Bridge}, n.

   {Oblique case} (Gram.), any case except the nominative. See
      {Case}, n.

   {Oblique circle} (Projection), a circle whose plane is
      oblique to the axis of the primitive plane.

   {Oblique fire} (Mil.), a fire the direction of which is not
      perpendicular to the line fired at.

   {Oblique flank} (Fort.), that part of the curtain whence the
      fire of the opposite bastion may be discovered. --Wilhelm.

   {Oblique leaf}. (Bot.)
      (a) A leaf twisted or inclined from the normal position.
      (b) A leaf having one half different from the other.

   {Oblique line} (Geom.), a line that, meeting or tending to
      meet another, makes oblique angles with it.

   {Oblique motion} (Mus.), a kind of motion or progression in
      which one part ascends or descends, while the other
      prolongs or repeats the same tone, as in the accompanying
      example.