nonlinearity

[ non-lin-ee-ar-i-tee ]

noun

1. Mathematics. the quality of a function that expresses a relationship that is not one of direct proportion.
2. Electricity. deviation of an input-output relationship from one of direct proportionality.

Word History and Origins

Origin of nonlinearity¹

First recorded in 1925–30; non- + linearity

Example Sentences

Significantly, the nonlinearity of the equation led to a fascinating new web of mathematics in which algebraic geometry, topology, differential geometry and analysis are beautifully entwined, now with physics in the mix as well.

From Quanta Magazine

The team proved that for a particular range of nonlinearity, their method could truncate that infinite list and solve the equations.

From Quanta Magazine

Since the particles are all interconnected, each particle’s behavior influences the rest, feeding back to that particle in a loop characteristic of nonlinearity.

From Quanta Magazine

Fredrickson then suggests that this counts as general evidence of nonlinearity in the effects of positivity.

From The Daily Beast