An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

Neither perpendicular nor horizontal; having the axis not perpendicular to the base; slanting; sloping.

Etymology (EN): From M.Fr. oblique, from L. obliquus “slanting, sidelong, indirect,” from ob “against” + root of licinus “(of an ox whose corn tips are) bent upward,” from PIE base *lei- “to bend, be movable.”

Etymology (PE): Yekvar, literally “slantingn to a side,” from yek-, → one,

• var “side,” variant
  bar “side; breadth; breast” (Mid.Pers. var “breast;” Av. vouru “wide, broad, extended” (vourucašāni- “looking far”), related to varah- “breast;” cf. Skt. urú- “wide, broad,” úras- “breast;” Gk. eurus “wide, broad;” PIE base uer-, ueru-s“wide, broad”).