a. [as prec. + -AL.]
1. of the form of a cylinder.
Cylindrical epithelium = cylinder or columnar epithelium.
Cylindrical eye: an astigmatic eye.
Cylindrical lens: a lens of the form of a cylinder, or of which one or both surfaces are portions of cylindrical surfaces. Cylindrical vault: ‘one in the shape of the segment of a cylinder’ (Gwilt).
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., III. i. 106. The grosse and somewhat Cylindricall composure of the legs.
1660. Boyle, New Exp. Phys.-Mech., Proem 13. The Cylindrical cavity.
1831. Brewster, Optics, xxxiii. § 163. 275. Particles of hail, some … globular and others cylindrical.
2. Of, pertaining, or relating to a cylinder.
Cylindrical projection: a form of projection (in maps, etc.) in which part of a spherical surface is projected upon the surface of a cylinder, which is then unrolled into a plane. (Cf. conical projection.) Cylindrical machine: a cylinder (printing) machine.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., Cylindrical, pertaining to, or like a Cylinder.
1862. Rep. of Juries, Exhibition 1862, XXVIII. C 4. The French cylindrical machines are very excellent.
1866. Proctor, Handbk. Stars, 38, note. Mercator’s projection is an instance of cylindrical projection, but on a principle altogether distinct.
Hence Cylindrically adv.; Cylindricalness.
1656. [? J. Sergeant], trans. T. White’s Peripat. Inst., 84. It distends these fibres, and … makes them enwrap one another, as it were, cylindrically, like a bark.
1766. Lane, in Phil. Trans., LVII. 452. The pillar of the Electrometer, made of wood, bored cylindrically about 1/3 of its length.
1727. Bailey, vol. II., Cylindricalness, the being of a cylindrical Form.
