Lin"e*al (lĭn"ē*al),
a. [L. linealis belonging to a line, fr.
linea line: cf. F. linéal. 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.