Lin"e*al (l&ibreve;n"&esl;*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.
Hear it pronounced