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lineal Definition

lin·eal (lin′ē əl)

adjective

  1. in the direct line of descent from an ancestor
  2. hereditary
  3. of or composed of lines; linear

Etymology: OFr linéal < LL linealis < L linea: see line

lineal Related Forms

lin′·eal′·ity (-al′ə tē) noun lin′·eal·ly adverb

lineal Synonyms

lineal

modif.

  1. Having to do with a line

    longitudinal, on a line, marking; see linear.

  2. Hereditary

    inherited, transmitted, descended; see ancestral, inherent.

lineal Law Definition

adj

Regarding trusts and estates, of a direct, as opposed to a collateral, descendant.

lineal Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • descendant: The Trek Boers of the 19th century were the lineal descendants of the Trek Boers of the 18th.
  • descent: These are, however, separate issues from that of legitimacy in terms of lineal descent.
  • successor: The Tornado bomber is its lineal successor, carrying a similar bomb load over similar distances.
  • datum: The ' truth ' and ' objectivity ' of such forms of lineal data are privileged above all others.
  • descendent: Ousey: lineal descendent of a former pupil of the School.
  • heir: Jacobite Heritage - The history of King James II and VII and his lineal heirs to the present day.