Etymologically
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linearis

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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]

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