linearis

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [liː.neˈaː.rɪs]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [li.neˈaː.ris]^[1]

Forms

līneāris (neuter līneāre, adverb līneāriter); third-declension two-termination adjective^[1] It is also spelled līniāris.^[2]

Etymology

It is from līnea “line” with the suffix -āris, dissimilated from ⟨-ālis⟩, so that it is a doublet of līneālis.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Pliny the Elder, of drawings made of lines.^[2] Köbler's first source is Quintilian; he dates Pliny 23/24–79 AD.^[4]

Semantic evolution

In Pliny the Elder it meant consisting of lines, of drawings, and in Quintilian concerned with lines, as a term of geometry.^[2] It was also used of a course following a straight line, and in surveying.^[2]

British Medieval Latin used it for made of flax or linen, as cords bought for a ship.^[5] It was borrowed into Italian lineare and French linéaire, and through French it gave English linear in the 1640s.^[1][3]

Timeline

• 23/24–79 AD – Pliny the Elder uses it of drawings.^[2][4]
• c. 35–95/96 AD – Quintilian uses it in geometry.^[2][4]
• 1640s – English linear is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Consisting of lines.^[2]
2. (geometry) Linear.^[2]
3. Following a straight line.^[2]
4. (Medieval Latin) Made of flax.^[5]

Related words

• līnea
• English linear

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ a b Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press