lineal

[ lin-ee-uhl ]

adjective

1. being in the direct line, as a descendant or ancestor, or in a direct line, as descent or succession.
2. of or transmitted by lineal descent.
3. linear.

lineal

/ ˈlɪnɪəl /

adjective

1. being in a direct line of descent from an ancestor
2. of, involving, or derived from direct descent
3. See linear
   a less common word for linear

Derived Forms

• ˈlineally, adverb

Other Words From

• line·al·ly adverb
• multi·line·al adjective
• non·line·al adjective
• un·line·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lineal¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Late Latin word līneālis. See line ¹, -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of lineal¹

C14: via Old French from Late Latin līneālis, from Latin līnea line ¹

Example Sentences

Starting in 1905, however, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, a lineal descendant group styled after the Daughters of the American Revolution, began using the site to shape Texans’ understanding of the past.

From Washington Post

Dr No -- the lineal descendant of Fu Manchu—is the epitome of evil.

From The Daily Beast

A new book says there is “overwhelming” evidence that President Barack Obama is a direct lineal descendant of Abraham Lincoln.

From The Daily Beast

Three generations ago one of the cadets settled in Nice, and his lineal descendant is the present General Garibaldi.

From Project Gutenberg

The current idea of the time was that lineal descent from Abraham determined who belonged to the house of Israel and who did not.

From Project Gutenberg

There has been a lineal succession of teachers of singing, from the earlier decades of the eighteenth century down to the present.

From Project Gutenberg

It is designed to be handed down in lineal descent, from generation to generation—to be preserved as a family Memorial.

From Project Gutenberg

Well, instead of a lady, I see a fellow—he may have been a lineal descendant of Cedric the Saxon.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• consecutive
• nonstop
• short
• smooth
• solid
• straightforward
• successive
• true