English
linear
Linear comes from Latin līneāris ‘line-’, from līneus ‘flaxen’, and ultimately from Proto-Italic *līnom.
- Proto-Italicc. 1500–700 BCE*līnomreconstructed
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CElīnum‘flax’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CElīneus‘flaxen’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CElīnea‘line’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CElīneāris‘line-’
- Englishearliest quotation 2004linear
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Earlier history uncertain.
Lineage
- Proto-Italicc. 1500–700 BCE*līnomreconstructed
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CElīnum‘flax’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CElīneus‘flaxen’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CElīnea‘line’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CElīneāris‘line-’
- Englishearliest quotation 2004linear
Earliest quotation: 2004, Wolfgang Hoeg, Thomas Lauterbach: “Linear radio relates to our well-known tune-in radio, where…”
Formed from line + -ar
Proto-Germanic *līną ‘flax’
Proto-Germanic *līnǭ ‘line’
Proto-West Germanic *līnā ‘line’
Old English līne ‘line’
Middle English line ‘rope’
English line
Linked words
through Latin līnum ‘flax’
through Latin līneus ‘flaxen’
through Latin līnea ‘line’
Today it means
adj Having the form of a line; straight or roughly straight; following a direct course.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Proto-Italic *līnom / linear