ˈlɪnɪə adj. 1 a of or in lines; in lines
rather than masses (linear development). b of
length (linear extent). 2 long
and narrow and of
uniform breadth. 3 involving
one dimension only. ølinear
accelerator Physics an accelerator in
which particles
travel in
straight lines,
not in
closed orbits. Linear B a
form of
Bronze Age writing found in Crete and parts of Greece and
recording a form of
Mycenaean Greek: an earlier undeciphered form (Linear A)
also exists. linear
equation an equation
between two variables
that gives a straight line
when plotted on a graph. linear
motor a motor producing straight-line (not rotary)
motion by
means of a
magnetic field. øølinearity n. linearize v.tr. (also -ise). linearly adv. [L linearis f. linea LINE(1)]