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 

browse words by letter
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
or search   thesauri dictionary search words