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lineal

[lin-ee-uh l]
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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.
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Origin of lineal

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Late Latin word līneālis. See line1, -al1
Related formslin·e·al·ly, adverbmul·ti·lin·e·al, adjectivenon·lin·e·al, adjectiveun·lin·e·al, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for unlineal

Historical Examples

  • What proof that some unlineal hand, some barbarism, without or within, shall not wrench the sceptre of democracy from our grasp?

    Have faith in Massachusetts; 2d ed.

    Calvin Coolidge

British Dictionary definitions for unlineal

lineal

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

Word Origin

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

Word Origin and History for unlineal

lineal

adj.

late 14c., from Old French lineal (14c.), from Late Latin linealis "pertaining to a line," from linea (see line (n.)). Related: Lineally.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper