nonstraight

Nonstraight is a term used in different domains with distinct meanings. In geometry, nonstraight describes any figure that is not a straight line. A straight line has constant direction and zero curvature; nonstraight objects include curves such as circles, parabolas, ellipses, and more complex paths, as well as piecewise paths that bend. In formal mathematics, more precise terms such as "curve" or "nonlinear" are preferred, and "nonstraight" is mainly used descriptively or in teaching contexts to distinguish from straight-line motion or segments.

In social and cultural discourse, nonstraight is an informal umbrella term for sexual orientations that are not heterosexual. It is used to discuss diversity of sexual identities without committing to a specific label and can include gay and lesbian identities, bisexual, pansexual, queer, asexual and other non-heterosexual orientations. Because it covers a broad range of identities, it is less precise than naming particular orientations, and individuals may prefer to identify with more specific terms. Usage varies by community and region; some view it as a political or inclusive term, while others may regard more specific labels as more accurate or respectful.

Overall, nonstraight is polysemous, with different communities adapting it to fit their linguistic and cultural needs. In each context, clarity about meaning is best achieved by specifying whether the reference is to geometry or to sexual orientation, and, within the latter, to the identity an individual adopts.