left-brained \left"-brained`\, a.
   Exhibiting intellectual or personality characteristics
   suggesting dominance of linguistic or logical modes of
   thought, which are usually controlled by the left cerebral
   hemisphere; as, left-brained pedants unable to appreciate
   music; also referred to as linear. See linear[3].
   Contrasted with right-brained.
   [PJC] left field

	

	Linear \Lin"e*ar\ (l[i^]n"[-e]*[~e]r), a. [L. linearis,
   linearius, fr. linea line: cf. F. lin['e]aire. See 3d
   Line.]
   1. Of or pertaining to a line; consisting of lines; in a
      straight direction; lineal.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Bot.) Like a line; narrow; of the same breadth
      throughout, except at the extremities; as, a linear leaf.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. Thinking in a step-by-step analytical and logical fashion;
      contrasted with holistic, i.e. thinking in terms of
      complex interrelated patterns; as, linear thinkers.
      [PJC]

            Linear thinkers concluded that by taking the world
            apart, the actions of people were more predictable
            and controllable.                     --David Morris
                                                  (Conference
                                                  presentation,
                                                  Fairfield
                                                  University,
                                                  October 31,
                                                  1997)

   Linear differential equation (Math.), an equation which is
      of the first degree, when the expression which is equated
      to zero is regarded as a function of the dependent
      variable and its differential coefficients.

   Linear equation (Math.), an equation of the first degree
      between two variables; -- so called because every such
      equation may be considered as representing a right line.
      

   Linear measure, the measurement of length.

   Linear numbers (Math.), such numbers as have relation to
      length only: such is a number which represents one side of
      a plane figure. If the plane figure is square, the linear
      figure is called a root.

   Linear problem (Geom.), a problem which may be solved
      geometrically by the use of right lines alone.

   Linear transformation (Alg.), a change of variables where
      each variable is replaced by a function of the first
      degree in the new variable.
      [1913 Webster]

	

	linear
     adj 1: designating or involving an equation whose terms are of the
            first degree [syn: additive] [ant: nonlinear]
     2: of or in or along or relating to a line; involving a single
        dimension; "a linear foot" [syn: one-dimensional] [ant:
        planar, cubic]
     3: of a circuit or device having an output that is proportional
        to the input; "analogue device"; "linear amplifier" [syn:
        analogue, analog] [ant: digital]
     4: of a leaf shape; long and narrow [syn: elongate]
     5: measured lengthwise; "cost of lumber per running foot" [syn:
         running(a)]

	

	50 Moby Thesaurus words for "linear":
   Plimsoll line, Plimsoll mark, arrowlike, catenary, consecutive,
   dead straight, direct, even, flat, high-water mark, horizontal,
   in a line, level, lineal, load waterline, ordinal, progressive,
   rectilineal, rectilinear, right, ruler-straight, sequent,
   sequential, serial, seriate, smooth, straight, straight-cut,
   straight-front, straight-side, streamlined, successional,
   successive, tidemark, true, unbending, unbent, unbowed, unbroken,
   uncurved, undeflected, undeviating, undistorted, uninterrupted,
   unswerving, unturned, upright, vertical, waterline, watermark