linear — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Having the form of a line; straight or roughly straight; following a direct course.

   Examples

   The route taken does not have to be a perfectly straight line, just so long as it is linear and is followed consistently for each transect taken.

2. Of or relating to lines.

   Synonyms

   lineal

3. Made, or designed to be used, in a step-by-step, sequential manner.

   Examples

   a linear medium

4. Long and narrow, with nearly parallel sides.

   Usage

   • of leaves

5. (of polynomials or polynomial equations) Having degree one; that is, being of the form a_1x_1+a_2x_2+⋯+a_nx_n+b, where each x_i is a variable. See also Linear polynomials on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

   Usage

   • of a polynomial

   Examples

   4x#43;5y#43;#92;frac#123;1#125;#123;2#125;z is a linear polynomial, but 4xy#43;#92;frac#123;1#125;#123;2#125;z and 4x#43;z² are not.

6. (of polynomials or polynomial equations) Involving only linear polynomials. See also Linear equation on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

   Usage

   • of a polynomial equation

   Examples

   The graph of the linear equation y#61;ax#43;b is a straight line with slope a and y-intercept b

7. (of functions or maps) An additive, homogeneous mapping; that is, a function f:V→W is linear if it distributes over vector addition (f( mathbf v+ mathbf w)=f( mathbf v)+f( mathbf w)) and respects scalar multiplication (f(c mathbf v)=cf( mathbf v)). If V and W are vector spaces over a field K, f may also be called a K-linear map. See also linear map on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

   Usage

   • of a function between vector spaces

   Examples

   The map f#58;#92;mathbb#123;R#125;³#92;to#92;mathbb#123;R#125;² taking (x,y,z)#92;mapsto(x#43;y#43;z,x-y#43;3z) is a linear map.

8. (of functions or maps) A module homomorphism; that is, a group homomorphism that commutes with scalar multiplication. See also Module homomorphism on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

   Usage

   • of a function over a module

9. A type of length measurement involving only one spatial dimension (as opposed to area or volume).

   Examples

   a linear meter

10. Delivered or delivering on a fixed schedule, as opposed to on-demand.

    Usage

    • of video and audio

    Synonyms

    broadcasttune-in

    Antonyms

    streamingon-demandnon-linear

    Examples

    linear TV, linear content, linear video, linear radio

    Linear television is dead or, at least, declining.

    More examples (2)

    Linear television includes traditional over-the-air broadcasting, as well as much cable and satellite broadcasting.

    Linear radio relates to our well-known tune-in radio, where the listener depends on the programmers schedule. In non-linear radio applications, the listener is able to choose previously broadcast audio pieces, which are held in local storage of the receiver (“mailbox”).

Adjective

1. designating or involving an equation whose terms are of the first degree

   Synonyms

   additive

   Antonyms

   nonlinear

2. of or in or along or relating to a line; involving or having a single dimension

   Synonyms

   one-dimensional

   Antonyms

   planarcubic

   Examples

   a linear measurement

3. of a circuit or device having an output that is proportional to the input

   Synonyms

   analogueanalog

   Examples

   analogue device

   linear amplifier

4. (of a leaf shape) long and narrow

   Synonyms

   elongate

5. measured lengthwise

   Synonyms

   running

   Examples

   cost of lumber per running foot