linear

[ lin-ee-er ]

/ ˈlɪn i ər /

adjective

of, consisting of, or using lines: linear design.

pertaining to or represented by lines: linear dimensions.

extended or arranged in a line: a linear series.

involving measurement in one dimension only; pertaining to length: linear measure.

of or relating to the characteristics of a work of art in which forms and rhythms are defined chiefly in terms of line.

having the form of or resembling a line: linear nebulae.

Mathematics.

consisting of, involving, or describable by terms of the first degree.
having the same effect on a sum as on each of the summands: a linear operation.

Electronics. delivering an output that is directly proportional to the input: a linear circuit; a linear amplifier.

threadlike; narrow and elongated: a linear leaf.

Words nearby linear

linea alba, linea nigra, lineage, lineal, lineament, linear, linear a, linear accelerator, linear algebra, linear atrophy, linear b

Origin of linear

First recorded in 1635–45, linear is from the Latin word līneāris of, belonging to lines. See line¹, -ar¹

OTHER WORDS FROM linear

lin·e·ar·ly, adverbnon·lin·e·ar, adjectivesub·lin·e·ar, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for nonlinear

Guillermo Arriaga (Babel, 21 Grams, The Burning Plain) employs a nonlinear style.
Benjamin Percy: How I Write|Noah Charney|June 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Critics rediscovered Wuthering Heights, praising its complicated, nonlinear structure.
Battle of the Brontes|Jennie Yabroff|March 14, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Let us assume that each of the environmental variables is a nonlinear oscillator, as is probable.
The Breeding Birds of Kansas|Richard F. Johnston
The new stage corresponds to distributed, non-sequential forms of human activity, nonlinear dependencies.
The Civilization of Illiteracy|Mihai Nadin

The frequency distribution of breeding activity in birds is described by a nonlinear curve (a normal distribution is nonlinear).
The Breeding Birds of Kansas|Richard F. Johnston

British Dictionary definitions for nonlinear (1 of 2)

nonlinear

/ (nɒnˈlɪnɪə) /

adjective

not of, in, along, or relating to a line

denoting digital editing in which edits are saved on computer, rather than videotape, thus enabling further edits to be made

British Dictionary definitions for nonlinear (2 of 2)

linear

/ (ˈlɪnɪə) /

adjective

of, in, along, or relating to a line

of or relating to length

resembling, represented by, or consisting of a line or lines

having one dimension

designating a style in the arts, esp painting, that obtains its effects through line rather than colour or light and in which the edges of forms and planes are sharply definedCompare painterly

maths of or relating to the first degreea linear equation

narrow and having parallel edgesa linear leaf

electronics

(of a circuit, etc) having an output that is directly proportional to inputlinear amplifier
having components arranged in a line

Derived forms of linear

linearity (ˌlɪnɪˈærɪtɪ), nounlinearly, adverb

Word Origin for linear

C17: from Latin līneāris of or by means of lines

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for nonlinear

linear

[ lĭn′ē-ər ]

adj.

Of, relating to, or resembling a line; straight.

Science definitions for nonlinear

linear

[ lĭn′ē-ər ]

Being or resembling a line.