linear measure

American  

noun

1. any system for measuring length.

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

---

linear measure British  

noun

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

---

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

Squint angle and linear measure of the deviation.

From Schweigger on Squint A Monograph by Dr. C. Schweigger by Schweigger, C.

Eln still survives in the name of a linear measure, the “ell,” and is derived from the O. Teut. alina, cognate with Lat. ulna and Gr. ὠλένη, the forearm.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 2 "Ehud" to "Electroscope" by Various

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