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lineal |
3 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Lineal \Lin"e*al\ (l[i^]n"[-e]*al), a. [L. linealis belonging to a line fr linea line: cf F. lin['e]al. 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 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}. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Measure \Meas"ure\, n. [OE. mesure, F. mesure, L. mensura, fr metiri mensus, to measure; akin to metrum poetical measure, Gr ?, E. meter. Cf {Immense}, {Mensuration}, {Mete} to measure.] 1. A standard of dimension; a fixed unit of quantity or extent; an extent or quantity in the fractions or multiples of which anything is estimated and stated; hence a rule by which anything is adjusted or judged. 2. An instrument by means of which size or quantity is measured, as a graduated line rod, vessel, or the like False ells and measures be brought all clean adown. --R. of Gloucester. 3. The dimensions or capacity of anything reckoned according to some standard; size or extent, determined and stated; estimated extent; as to take one's measure for a coat. The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. --Job xi 9. 4. The contents of a vessel by which quantity is measured; a quantity determined by a standard; a stated or limited quantity or amount. It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal. --Luke xiii. 21. 5. Extent or degree not excessive or beyong bounds; moderation; due restraint; esp. in the phrases, in measure; with measure; without or beyond measure. Hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure. --Is. v. 14. 6. Determined extent, not to be exceeded; limit; allotted share, as of action influence, ability, or the like due proportion. Lord, make me to know mine end and the measure of my days. --Ps. xxxix 4. 7. The quantity determined by measuring, especially in buying and selling; as to give good or full measure. 8. Undefined quantity; extent; degree. There is a great measure of discretion to be used in the performance of confession. --Jer. Taylor. 9. Regulated division of movement: a (Dancing) A regulated movement corresponding to the time in which the accompanying music is performed; but especially, a slow and stately dance, like the minuet. b (Mus.) (1) The group or grouping of beats, caused by the regular recurrence of accented beats. (2) The space between two bars. See {Beat}, {Triple}, {Quadruple}, {Sextuple}, {Compound time}, under {Compound}, a., and {Figure}. c (Poetry) The manner of ordering and combining the quantities, or long and short syllables; meter; rhythm; hence a foot; as a poem in iambic measure. 10. (Arith.) A number which is contained in a given number a number of times without a remainder; as in the phrases, the common measure, the greatest common measure, etc., of two or more numbers. 11. A step or definite part of a progressive course or policy; a means to an end an act designed for the accomplishment of an object; as political measures; prudent measures; an inefficient measure. His majesty found what wrong measures he had taken in the conferring that trust, and lamented his error. --Clarendon. 12. The act of measuring; measurement. --Shak. 13. pl (Geol.) Beds or strata; as coal measures; lead measures. {Lineal}, or {Long}, {measure}, measure of length; the measure of lines or distances. {Liquid measure}, the measure of liquids. {Square measure}, the measure of superficial area of surfaces in square units, as inches, feet, miles, etc {To have hard measure}, to have harsh treatment meted out to one to be harshly or oppressively dealt with {To take measures}, to make preparations; to provide means {To take one's measure}, to measure one as for a garment; hence to form an opinion of one's disposition, character, ability, etc {To tread a measure}, to dance in the style so called See 9 a . Say to her we have measured many miles To tread a measure with her on this grass. --Shak. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: lineal adj 1: in a straight unbroken line of descent from parent to child; "lineal ancestors"; "lineal heirs"; "a direct descendant of the king"; "direct heredity" [syn: {direct}] [ant: {collateral}] 2: arranged in a line
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