WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Lin"e*al
Part of Speech : a.
Etymology : [L. linealis belonging to a line, fr. linea line: cf. F. lin?al. See 3d Line.]
Definition : 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