LINEAL

lineal

(adjective) arranged in a line

lineal, direct

(adjective) in a straight unbroken line of descent from parent to child; “lineal ancestors”; “lineal heirs”; “a direct descendant of the king”; “direct heredity”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Adjective

lineal (not comparable)

(family) Of a family relationship that includes mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, grandparents, grandchildren, etc, but not siblings; as opposed to collateral.

Inheriting by direct descent; having the right by direct descent to succeed (to).

Composed of lines; delineated.

In the direction of a line; of a line; of or relating to a line; measured on, or ascertained by, a line; linear.

Antonyms

• collateral

Coordinate terms

• (of a line): areal, spacial, spatial

Anagrams

• lienal, nillae

Source: Wiktionary

Lin"e*al, a. Etym: [L. linealis belonging to a line, fr. linea line: cf. F. linéal. See 3d Line.]

1. Descending in a direct line from an ancestor; hereditary; derived from ancestors; -- opposed to collateral; as, a lineal descent or a lineal descendant. The prime and ancient right of lineal succession. Locke.

2. Inheriting by direct descent; having the right by direct descent to succeed (to). For only you are lineal to the throne. Dryden.

3. Composed of lines; delineated; as, lineal designs.

4. In the direction of a line; of a line; of or pertaining to a line; measured on, or ascertained by, a line; linear; as, lineal magnitude. Lineal measure, the measure of length; -- usually written linear measure.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition