Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Linear
Lin′e-ar
(lĭn′ē̍-ẽr)
, Adj.
1.
Of or pertaining to a line; consisting of lines; in a straight direction; lineal.
2.
(Bot.)
Like a line; narrow; of the same breadth throughout, except at the extremities;
as, a
. linear
leafLinear differential equation
(Math.)
, an equation which is of the first degree, when the expression which is equated to zero is regarded as a function of the dependent variable and its differential coefficients.
– Linear equation
(Math.)
, an equation of the first degree between two variables; – so called because every such equation may be considered as representing a right line.
– Linear measure
, the measurement of length.
– Linear numbers
(Math.)
, such numbers as have relation to length only: such is a number which represents one side of a plane figure. If the plane figure is square, the linear figure is called a root.
– Linear problem
(Geom.)
, a problem which may be solved geometrically by the use of right lines alone.
– Linear transformation
(Alg.)
, a change of variables where each variable is replaced by a function of the first degree in the new variable.
Webster 1828 Edition
Linear
LIN'EAR
,Adj.
1.
Pertaining to a line; consisting of lines; in a straight direction.2.
In botany, like a line; slender; of the same breadth throughout, except at the extremities; as linear leaf.Linear numbers, in mathematics, such as have relation to length only; such is a number which represents one side of a plane figure. If the plane figure is a square, the linear figure is called a root.
Linear problem, that which may be solved geometrically by the intersection of two right lines.