4. In the direction of a line; of or pertaining to a line; measured on,
or ascertained by, a line; linear; as, lineal magnitude.
Lineal measure, the measure of length; -- usually written linear
measure.
Lin`e*al"i*ty (-l"*t), n. The quality of being lineal.
Lin"e*al*ly (ln"*al*l), adv. In a lineal manner; as, the prince is
lineally descended from the Conqueror.
Lin"e*a*ment (-*ment), n. [L. lineamentum, fr. linea line: cf. F.
linéament. See 3d Line.] One of the outlines, exterior features, or
distinctive marks, of a body or figure, particularly of the face;
feature; form; mark; -- usually in the plural. "The lineaments of the
body." Locke. "Lineaments in the character." Swift.
Man he seems In all his lineaments.
Milton.
Lin"e*ar (-*r), a. [L. linearis, linearius, fr. linea line: cf. F.
linéaire. 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. -- Linear measure, the measurement of
length. -- Linear numbers (Math.), such numbers 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 (Geom.), a problem which may be solved
geometrically by the use of right lines alone. -- Linear transformation
(Alg.), a change of variables where each variable is replaced by a
function of the first degree in the new variable.
Lin`e*ar*en"sate (-n"st), a. (Bot.) Having the form of a sword, but
very long and narrow.
Lin"e*ar*ly, adv. In a linear manner; with lines.
Lin"e*ar-shaped` (-shpt`), a. Of a linear shape.
Lin"e*a*ry (-*r), a. Linear. Holland.
{ Lin"e*ate (ln"*t), Lin"e*a`ted (-`td), } a. [L. lineatus, p. p. of
lineare to reduce to a straight line, fr. linea line.] 1. (Zoöl.)
Marked with lines.
2. (Bot.) Marked longitudinally with depressed parallel lines; as, a
lineate leaf.
Lin`e*a"tion (-"shn), n. [L. lineatio the drawing of a line, fr.
lineare.] Delineation; a line or lines.
Lin"e*a*ture (ln"**tr; 135), n. Anything having outline. [R.] Holland.
Line"man (ln"mn), n.; pl. Linemen (-mn). 1. One who carries the line in
surveying, etc.
2. A man employed to examine the rails of a railroad to see if they are
in good condition; also, a man employed to repair telegraph lines.
Lin"en (ln"n), a. [OE., fr. lin linen. See Linen, n.] 1. Made of linen;
as, linen cloth; a linen stocking.