lineal

[lin-ee-uh l] /ˈlɪn i əl/
adjective
1.
being in the direct line, as a descendant or ancestor, or in a direct line, as descent or succession.
2.
of or transmitted by lineal descent.
3.
linear.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English < Late Latin līneālis. See line1, -al1
Related forms
lineally, adverb
multilineal, adjective
nonlineal, adjective
unlineal, adjective
Examples from the web for lineal
  • It is hubris to expect the world to remain unchanged and accept lineal forecasts.
  • It is possible, of course, that the fossil really did belong to my lineal ancestor.
  • The message of the movie medium is that of transition from lineal connections in configurations.
  • lineal descendants have standing to claim human remains, funerary objects, and sacred objects.
  • The purpose of this study is to determinate the utility of staple-line reinforcement on lineal gastrointestinal anastomoses.
British Dictionary definitions for lineal

lineal

/ˈlɪnɪəl/
adjective
1.
being in a direct line of descent from an ancestor
2.
of, involving, or derived from direct descent
3.
a less common word for linear
Derived Forms
lineally, adverb
Word Origin
C14: via Old French from Late Latin līneālis, from Latin līnealine1
Word Origin and History for lineal
adj.

late 14c., from Old French lineal (14c.), from Late Latin linealis "pertaining to a line," from linea (see line (n.)). Related: Lineally.