linear

[ lin-ee-er ]

/ ˈlɪn i ər /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR linear ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

of, consisting of, or using lines: linear design.

pertaining to or represented by lines: linear dimensions.

extended or arranged in a line: a linear series.

involving measurement in one dimension only; pertaining to length: linear measure.

of or relating to the characteristics of a work of art in which forms and rhythms are defined chiefly in terms of line.

having the form of or resembling a line: linear nebulae.

Mathematics.

consisting of, involving, or describable by terms of the first degree.
having the same effect on a sum as on each of the summands: a linear operation.

Electronics. delivering an output that is directly proportional to the input: a linear circuit; a linear amplifier.

threadlike; narrow and elongated: a linear leaf.

Origin of linear

First recorded in 1635–45, linear is from the Latin word līneāris of, belonging to lines. See line¹, -ar¹

OTHER WORDS FROM linear

lin·e·ar·ly, adverb non·lin·e·ar, adjective sub·lin·e·ar, adjective

Words nearby linear

linea alba, linea nigra, lineage, lineal, lineament, linear, linear a, linear accelerator, linear algebra, linear atrophy, linear b

Example sentences from the Web for linear

But the reasoning only made sense if the tumor grew in a linear, predictable way.

How Big Pharma Holds Back in the War on Cancer |ProPublica |April 23, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
In his own words it was “the linear equivalent of the sensation of flight.”

Matisse: Innovator Until the End |Nico Hines |April 16, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
I call them Hyperserials: shows with a purer, more intense focus on one linear, series-long plotline.

Mad Men’s Dramatic Déjà Vu: ‘Time Zones’ Feels Redundant |Andrew Romano |April 14, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The order of words in a book is dictated by the linear nature of the medium.

Why We Should Read World History |Lincoln Paine |December 25, 2013 |DAILY BEAST

It is a simple, linear view of how things work—if a measured amount of something is good, an all-out amount of it must be better.

Why Now is Not the Time for New Sanctions on Iran |Dylan Williams |November 5, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
They are linear, simple or branched according to the species of plant, usually containing oily granules.

Student's Hand-book of Mushrooms of America, Edible and Poisonous |Thomas Taylor
But linear measurements such as the stature cannot be compared with volumetric measurements, such as the weight.

Pedagogical Anthropology |Maria Montessori
The square and cubic units are the squares and cubes of the linear units.

Soap-Making Manual |E. G. Thomssen
It connects the volcanoes of Kamtschatka with those of Japan, and the linear arrangement is apparent.

Volcanoes: Past and Present |Edward Hull
The linear form in turn died out some six hundred years later.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 5 |Various

British Dictionary definitions for linear

linear

/ (ˈlɪnɪə) /

adjective

of, in, along, or relating to a line

of or relating to length

resembling, represented by, or consisting of a line or lines

having one dimension

designating a style in the arts, esp painting, that obtains its effects through line rather than colour or light and in which the edges of forms and planes are sharply defined Compare painterly

maths of or relating to the first degree a linear equation

narrow and having parallel edges a linear leaf

electronics

(of a circuit, etc) having an output that is directly proportional to inputlinear amplifier
having components arranged in a line

Derived forms of linear

linearity (ˌlɪnɪˈærɪtɪ), noun linearly, adverb

Word Origin for linear

C17: from Latin līneāris of or by means of lines

Medical definitions for linear

linear

[ lĭn′ē-ər ]

adj.

Of, relating to, or resembling a line; straight.

Scientific definitions for linear

linear

[ lĭn′ē-ər ]

Being or resembling a line.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

linear

adjective

Origin of linear

OTHER WORDS FROM linear

Words nearby linear

Example sentences from the Web for linear

British Dictionary definitions for linear

adjective

Derived forms of linear

Word Origin for linear

Medical definitions for linear

adj.

Scientific definitions for linear

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

linear

adjective

Origin of linear

OTHER WORDS FROM linear

Words nearby linear

Words related to linear

Example sentences from the Web for linear

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for linear

adjective

Derived forms of linear

Word Origin for linear

Medical definitions for linear

adj.

Scientific definitions for linear

British Dictionary definitions for linear