Adjacent Words

Linear definitions

	Tweet

Webster's 1828 Dictionary

LIN'EAR, a. [L. linearis.]
1. Pertaining to a line; consisting of lines; in a straight direction.
2. In botany, like a line; slender; of the same breadth throughout, except at the extremities; as linear leaf.
Linear numbers, in mathematics, such as have relation to length only; such is a number which represents one side of a plane figure. If the plane figure is a square, the linear figure is called a root.
Linear problem, that which may be solved geometrically by the intersection of two right lines.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

adj
1: designating or involving an equation whose terms are of the first degree [syn: linear, additive] [ant: nonlinear]
2: of or in or along or relating to a line; involving a single dimension; "a linear measurement" [syn: linear, one- dimensional] [ant: cubic, planar, three-dimensional, two-dimensional]
3: of a circuit or device having an output that is proportional to the input; "analogue device"; "linear amplifier" [syn: analogue, analog, linear] [ant: digital]
4: (of a leaf shape) long and narrow [syn: linear, elongate]
5: measured lengthwise; "cost of lumber per running foot" [syn: linear, running]

Merriam Webster's

adjective Date: circa 1656 1. a. (1) of, relating to, resembling, or having a graph that is a line and especially a straight line ; straight (2) involving a single dimension b. (1) of the first degree with respect to one or more variables (2) of, relating to, based on, or being linear equations, linear differential equations, linear functions, linear transformations, or linear algebra c. (1) characterized by an emphasis on line <linear art> (2) composed of simply drawn lines with little attempt at pictorial representation <linear script> d. consisting of a straight chain of atoms 2. elongated with nearly parallel sides <linear leaf> — see leaf illustration 3. having or being a response or output that is directly proportional to the input 4. of, relating to, or based or depending on sequential development <linear thinking> <a linear narrative> • linearity noun • linearly adverb

Oxford Reference Dictionary

adj. 1 a of or in lines; in lines rather than masses (linear development). b of length (linear extent). 2 long and narrow and of uniform breadth. 3 involving one dimension only. Phrases and idioms: linear accelerator Physics an accelerator in which particles travel in straight lines, not in closed orbits. Linear B a form of Bronze Age writing found in Crete and parts of Greece and recording a form of Mycenaean Greek: an earlier undeciphered form (Linear A) also exists. linear equation an equation between two variables that gives a straight line when plotted on a graph. linear motor a motor producing straight-line (not rotary) motion by means of a magnetic field. Derivatives: linearity n. linearize v.tr. (also -ise). linearly adv. Etymology: L linearis f. linea LINE(1)

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Linear Lin"e*ar (-[-e]*[~e]r), a. [L. linearis, linearius, fr. linea line: cf. F. lin['e]aire. See 3d Line.] 1. Of or pertaining to a line; consisting of lines; in a straight direction; lineal. 2. (Bot.) Like a line; narrow; of the same breadth throughout, except at the extremities; as, a linear leaf. Linear differential equation (Math.), an equation which is of the first degree, when the expression which is equated to zero is regarded as a function of the dependent variable and its differential coefficients. Linear equation (Math.), an equation of the first degree between two variables; -- so called because every such equation may be considered as representing a right line.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Micrometer Mi*crom"e*ter, n. [Micro- + -meter: cf. F. microm[`e]tre.] An instrument, used with a telescope or microscope, for measuring minute distances, or the apparent diameters of objects which subtend minute angles. The measurement given directly is that of the image of the object formed at the focus of the object glass. Circular, or Ring, micrometer, a metallic ring fixed in the focus of the object glass of a telescope, and used to determine differences of right ascension and declination between stars by observations of the times at which the stars cross the inner or outer periphery of the ring. Double image micrometer, a micrometer in which two images of an object are formed in the field, usually by the two halves of a bisected lens which are movable along their line of section by a screw, and distances are determined by the number of screw revolutions necessary to bring the points to be measured into optical coincidence. When the two images are formed by a bisected object glass, it is called a divided-object-glass micrometer, and when the instrument is large and equatorially mounted, it is known as a heliometer. Double refraction micrometer, a species of double image micrometer, in which the two images are formed by the double refraction of rock crystal. Filar, or Bifilar, micrometer. See under Bifilar. Micrometer caliper or gauge (Mech.), a caliper or gauge with a micrometer screw, for measuring dimensions with great accuracy. Micrometer head, the head of a micrometer screw. Micrometer microscope, a compound microscope combined with a filar micrometer, used chiefly for reading and subdividing the divisions of large astronomical and geodetical instruments. Micrometer screw, a screw with a graduated head used in some forms of micrometers. Position micrometer. See under Position. Scale, or Linear, micrometer, a minute and very delicately graduated scale of equal parts used in the field of a telescope or microscope, for measuring distances by direct comparison.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

1. A linear process or development is one in which something changes or progresses straight from one stage to another, and has a starting point and an ending point. ...the linear view of time, with the idea that the past is moving into the present and the present into the future. ADJ: usu ADJ n 2. A linear shape or form consists of straight lines. ...the sharp, linear designs of the Seventies and Eighties. ADJ: usu ADJ n 3. Linear movement or force occurs in a straight line rather than in a curve. ADJ: usu ADJ n

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

a. Lineal, in the direction of a line.

Moby Thesaurus

Plimsoll line, Plimsoll mark, arrowlike, catenary, consecutive, dead straight, direct, even, flat, high-water mark, horizontal, in a line, level, lineal, load waterline, ordinal, progressive, rectilineal, rectilinear, right, ruler-straight, sequent, sequential, serial, seriate, smooth, straight, straight-cut, straight-front, straight-side, streamlined, successional, successive, tidemark, true, unbending, unbent, unbowed, unbroken, uncurved, undeflected, undeviating, undistorted, uninterrupted, unswerving, unturned, upright, vertical, waterline, watermark