nonintersecting

Nonintersecting is an adjective describing things that do not meet or cross at any point. It is especially common in geometry, where it can describe lines, curves, paths, or planes that remain separate. In set theory, nonintersecting sets have no elements in common, a condition often expressed by saying that the sets are disjoint. The word can also be used more generally for roads, routes, or designs that do not cross one another. It is more formal than everyday alternatives such as “separate” or “nonoverlapping,” and it is particularly useful when the exact fact being expressed is the absence of intersection. Although related to the verb “intersect” and the noun “intersection,” “nonintersecting” specifically functions as an adjective describing a nonmeeting or noncrossing relationship.

Not intersecting; having no point or points in common. In geometry, it describes lines, curves, or sets that do not cross or overlap.

Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.

Etymology of nonintersecting

The word combines the prefix “non-” meaning “not” with “intersecting,” the present participle of “intersect.” “Intersect” comes from Latin “intersectus,” a past participle of “intersecare,” meaning “to cut between” or “to cross.” Its English development led to the noun “intersection” and the broader family of forms associated with crossing or meeting. “Nonintersecting” is a modern formation expressing the absence of that relationship.

How nonintersecting is actually used

The adjective is formal and technical, especially in mathematics, geometry, and cartography. It is usually used before a noun, such as “nonintersecting lines.”

Easily confused with nonintersecting

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Words and phrases paired with nonintersecting

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Rhymes with nonintersecting