Equirectangular
/ˌiːkwɪˈrɛk.ˌtæŋ.ɡjʊ.lər/noun
Describing a map projection in which meridians and parallels are equally spaced and form a rectangular grid.
Did you know?Its roots come from Latin words for “equal” and “rectangle,” so the name is literally a mathematical description, not a mystical one—though it does turn the world into a grid humans can control.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₁eykʷ-
“to be one, equal”
Latin
Latin
aequus
“equal, level, even”
Latin
Latin
rectus
“straight, right”
Late Latin
Latin
aequirectangulus
“having equal right angles; rectangular”
Modern English
English
equirectangular
“relating to a map projection with equally spaced meridians and parallels”