lineal

[ lin-ee-uhl ]

adjective

1. being in the direct line, as a descendant or ancestor, or in a direct line, as descent or succession.
2. of or transmitted by lineal descent.
3. linear.

lineal

/ ˈlɪnɪəl /

adjective

1. being in a direct line of descent from an ancestor
2. of, involving, or derived from direct descent
3. a less common word for linear

Derived Forms

• ˈlineally, adverb

Other Words From

• line·al·ly adverb
• multi·line·al adjective
• non·line·al adjective
• un·line·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lineal¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Late Latin word līneālis. See line ¹, -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of lineal¹

C14: via Old French from Late Latin līneālis, from Latin līnea line ¹

Example Sentences

He is also now the lineal heavyweight champion by beating Fury, who beat Wladimir Klitschko to earn that distinction in 2015.

From Seattle Times

Each tribe determines its own enrollment, but a common requirement is lineal descendancy from someone on the tribal roll.

From Seattle Times

Such research can rediscover people’s names and families to possibly identify any living lineal descendants, as well as inform repatriation claims made by self-identified descendant communities.

From Science Magazine

Archival documents they found also mention a wife and child—meaning Voorhees could have unidentified lineal descendants living today who could claim his remains.

From Science Magazine

Because the remains will be in a mausoleum, they will still be accessible if future research turns up lineal descendants or “a legitimate claim,” Woods says.

From Science Magazine

Related Words

• consecutive
• nonstop
• short
• smooth
• solid
• straightforward
• successive
• true