Linear

4 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  left-brained \left"-brained`\, a.
     Exhibiting intellectual or personality characteristics
     suggesting dominance of linguistic or logical modes of
     thought, which are usually controlled by the left cerebral
     hemisphere; as, left-brained pedants unable to appreciate
     music; also referred to as {linear}. See {linear}[3].


     Contrasted with {right-brained}.
     [PJC] left field

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Linear \Lin"e*ar\ (l[i^]n"[-e]*[~e]r), a. [L. linearis,
     linearius, fr. linea line: cf. F. lin['e]aire. See 3d
     {Line}.]
     1. Of or pertaining to a line; consisting of lines; in a
        straight direction; lineal.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Bot.) Like a line; narrow; of the same breadth
        throughout, except at the extremities; as, a linear leaf.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. Thinking in a step-by-step analytical and logical fashion;
        contrasted with {holistic}, i.e. thinking in terms of
        complex interrelated patterns; as, linear thinkers.
        [PJC]
  
              Linear thinkers concluded that by taking the world
              apart, the actions of people were more predictable
              and controllable.                     --David Morris
                                                    (Conference
                                                    presentation,
                                                    Fairfield
                                                    University,
                                                    October 31,
                                                    1997)
  
     {Linear 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.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  linear
       adj 1: designating or involving an equation whose terms are of the
              first degree [syn: {additive}] [ant: {nonlinear}]
       2: of or in or along or relating to a line; involving a single
          dimension; "a linear foot" [syn: {one-dimensional}] [ant:
          {planar}, {cubic}]
       3: of a circuit or device having an output that is proportional
          to the input; "analogue device"; "linear amplifier" [syn:
          {analogue}, {analog}] [ant: {digital}]
       4: of a leaf shape; long and narrow [syn: {elongate}]
       5: measured lengthwise; "cost of lumber per running foot" [syn:
           {running(a)}]

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

  50 Moby Thesaurus words for "linear":
     Plimsoll line, Plimsoll mark, arrowlike, catenary, consecutive,
     dead straight, direct, even, flat, high-water mark, horizontal,
     in a line, level, lineal, load waterline, ordinal, progressive,
     rectilineal, rectilinear, right, ruler-straight, sequent,
     sequential, serial, seriate, smooth, straight, straight-cut,
     straight-front, straight-side, streamlined, successional,
     successive, tidemark, true, unbending, unbent, unbowed, unbroken,
     uncurved, undeflected, undeviating, undistorted, uninterrupted,
     unswerving, unturned, upright, vertical, waterline, watermark