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) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
linear equation
n 1: a polynomial equation of the first degree
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