Main Entry: lin·e·ar

Pronunciation: \ˈli-nē-ər\

Function: adjective

Date: circa 1656

1 a (1) : of, relating to, resembling, or having a graph that is a line and especially a straight line : straight (2) : involving a single dimension b (1) : of the first degree with respect to one or more variables (2) : of, relating to, based on, or being linear equations, linear differential equations, linear functions, linear transformations, or linear algebra c (1) : characterized by an emphasis on line <linear art> (2) : composed of simply drawn lines with little attempt at pictorial representation <linear script> d : consisting of a straight chain of atoms
2 : elongated with nearly parallel sides <linear leaf> — see leaf illustration
3 : having or being a response or output that is directly proportional to the input
4 : of, relating to, or based or depending on sequential development <linear thinking> <a linear narrative>

— lin·e·ar·i·ty \ˌli-nē-ˈer-ə-tē, -ˈa-rə-\ noun

— lin·e·ar·ly \ˈli-nē-ər-lē\ adverb