Linear /(lĭn"ē̇*ẽr)/
Lin·e·ar
Linear
a.
- Of or pertaining to a line; consisting of lines; in a straight direction; lineal.
- Like a line; narrow; of the same breadth throughout, except at the extremities; as, a linear leaf. (Bot.)
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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.
Linear thinkers concluded that by taking the world apart, the actions of people were more predictable and controllable.
Phrases & Compounds
- Linear differential equation
- 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
- an equation of the first degree between two variables; -- so called because every such equation may be considered as representing a right line.<-- = straight line! -->
- Linear measure
- the measurement of length.
- Linear numbers
- 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
- a problem which may be solved geometrically by the use of right lines alone.
- Linear transformation
- a change of variables where each variable is replaced by a function of the first degree in the new variable.