Lin·e·ar a.
 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 leaf.
    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.
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