rect

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

-rect-, root. 

1. -rect- comes from Latin, where it has the meaning "guide;
   rule;
   right;
   straight.'' This meaning is found in such words as: correct, direct, erect, indirect, insurrection, misdirect, rectangle, rectify, rectitude, rector, rectum, resurrection.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

rect-, 

1. var. of recti- before a vowel:
   rectangle.

rect., 

1. receipt.
2. Mathematics rectangle.
3. Mathematics rectangular.
4. (in prescriptions) rectified.
• Latin rēctificātus
5. Religion rector.
6. Religion rectory.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

rec•ti  (rek′tī), n. 

1. pl. of rectus. 

recti-, 

1. a combining form meaning "right,'' "straight,'' used in the formation of compound words:
   rectilinear.

Also,[esp. before a vowel,] rect-. 

• Latin rēcti-, combining form of rēctus right