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{ } a. [ L. curvus bent + E. lineal, linear. ] Consisting of, or bounded by, curved lines; as, a curvilinear figure. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of being curvilinear or of being bounded by curved lines. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a curvilinear manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ Cf. LL. interlinearis, F. interlinéaire. ] Contained between lines; written or inserted between lines already written or printed; containing interlineations; as, an interlinear manuscript, translation, etc. -- In`ter*lin"e*ar*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

a. Interlinear. -- n. A book containing interlineations. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. linearis, linearius, fr. linea line: cf. F. linéaire. 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 ]

a. (Bot.) Having the form of a sword, but very long and narrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a linear manner; with lines. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of a linear shape. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Linear. Holland. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ L. mixtus mixed (p. p. of miscere to mix) + E. lineal, linear. ] Containing, or consisting of, lines of different kinds, as straight, curved, and the like; as, a mixtilinear angle, that is, an angle contained by a straight line and a curve. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. (Math.) Not depictable graphically as a straight line; not changing by a constant amount for each unit of time, distance, or other independent variable. Opposite of linear. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

2. (Math.) Containing variables of greater than the first degree; -- of an equation. Opposite of linear. [ PJC ]

3. (Physics) Represented by equations containing variables of greater than the first degree; -- of physical processes or relationships. Opposite of linear. [ PJC ]

a. Of or pertaining to an outline; being in, or forming, an outline. Trench. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ Recti- + lineal, linear. ] Straight; consisting of a straight line or lines; bounded by straight lines; as, a rectineal angle; a rectilinear figure or course. -- Rec`ti*lin"e*al*ly, adv. -- Rec`ti*lin"e*ar*ly, adv. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being rectilinear. Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Math.) Of, pertaining to, or included by, three lines; as, trilinear coordinates. [ 1913 Webster ]