Linear

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.
  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.
    4. 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.