lineal

C2 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˈlɪni.əl/ UK /ˈlɪniːəl/ See IPA manual

Freq #114436

Meanings

1

adj
in a straight unbroken line of descent from parent to child

Lineal ancestors.
2

adj
Relating to aspects of lineage, such as descent, succession, inheritance or consanguinity.

The prime and ancient right of lineal succession.
3

adj
In the direction of a line; measured or ascertained by a line.

Lineal magnitude.
4

adj
Line-drawn; composed of lines.

Lineal designs.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · in a straight unbroken line... direct

3 adj · in the direction of a line;... linear

Opposites

collateral

Word family

Derived forms ambilinealbilineallinealitylineallymatrilinealmultilinealnonlinealpatrilinealpolylinealrectilinealunilinealunlineal

Related forms line lineage linear

Etymology

From Old French lineal, from Latin līneālis, from līnea (“a line”) + -ālis (adjective-forming suffix). By surface analysis, line + -al. Doublet of linear.

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# lineal

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** adj
**IPA (US):** /ˈlɪni.əl/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈlɪniːəl/
**Frequency rank:** 114436

## Meanings
1. in a straight unbroken line of descent from parent to child
2. Relating to aspects of lineage, such as descent, succession, inheritance or consanguinity.
3. In the direction of a line; measured or ascertained by a line.
4. Line-drawn; composed of lines.

## Examples
- Lineal ancestors.
- The prime and ancient right of lineal succession.
- Lineal magnitude.
- Lineal designs.

## Antonyms
- collateral

## Derived Forms
- ambilineal
- bilineal
- lineality
- lineally
- matrilineal
- multilineal
- nonlineal
- patrilineal
- polylineal
- rectilineal
- unilineal
- unlineal

## Related Forms
- line
- lineage
- linear

## Etymology
From Old French lineal, from Latin līneālis, from līnea (“a line”) + -ālis (adjective-forming suffix). By surface analysis, line + -al. Doublet of linear.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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