linear measure

American  

noun

1. any system for measuring length.

2. any unit used in linear measurement, as the inch, foot, meter, etc.

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linear measure British  

noun

1. Also called: long measure.  a unit or system of units for the measurement of length

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Etymology

Origin of linear measure

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

It is typically far smaller than the eukaryotic cell: by a factor of 10 in linear measure and hence by a factor of 1,000 in volume.

From Scientific American • Jan. 1, 2013

The metric linear measure system has been accepted by Western Union artillery, but centigrade has not yet triumphed over Fahrenheit.

From Time Magazine Archive

Professor Oppert, Dr. Eisenlohr, M. Thureau-Dangin, and others have discussed at length the plan of a field,644 which has the sides of several plots given in linear measure and the areas in square measure.

From Babylonian and Assyrian Laws, Contracts and Letters by Johns, C. H. W. (Claude Hermann Walter)

It has been stated farther above that the smallest star disks, on a good photograph, are sometimes not more than 2″ in diameter, or in a linear measure, about 1⁄20 mm.

From Photographs of Nebul? and Clusters Made with the Crossley Reflector by Keeler, James Edward

In linear measure a boat on the Middlesex side has nearly two lengths less to travel than the one outside it between Barnes Bridge and the ‘Ship.’

From Boating by Woodgate, W. B.