lineal
/'liniəl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
The family tree shows the lineal descent from the great-grandfather to the great-grandson.
Definition
- Adjective:
- Relating to or being in the direct line of descent from an ancestor: Describes a family relationship where descent is traced directly from parent to child through successive generations without any branching or collateral relatives.
- Arranged in or forming a line: Pertaining to something that is organized or positioned in a straight, sequential order.
Examples of Usage
- Adjective:
- She is a lineal descendant of the original settlers. (She is a direct descendant in an unbroken line from the original settlers.)
- The lineal succession to the throne was clearly defined. (The direct inheritance of the throne from parent to child was clearly defined.)
- The artifacts were placed in lineal order according to their age. (The artifacts were arranged in a straight, sequential line based on their age.)
Advanced Usage
- "lineal heir": A person who inherits as a direct descendant, such as a child or grandchild, in contrast to a collateral heir (like a sibling or cousin).
- The estate passed to his lineal heir, his only son.
- "lineal consanguinity": A legal term describing the direct blood relationship between ancestors and descendants (e.g., parent-child, grandparent-grandchild).
- The law prioritizes lineal consanguinity in matters of inheritance.
Variants and Related Words
- Lineally (adverb): In a lineal manner; by direct descent.
- The title is inherited lineally, from father to eldest son.
- Lineality (noun): The quality or state of being lineal.
- The principle of lineality is central to their kinship system.
- Collateral (adjective, antonym in kinship context): Descended from a common ancestor but not in a direct line (e.g., siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles).
- He has no lineal descendants, so the estate went to a collateral relative.
Synonyms
- Direct (in descent): Uninterrupted in line from an ancestor.
- Unbroken (in descent): Continuous, without interruption in the line of succession.
- Linear (in arrangement): Arranged in or extending along a straight or nearly straight line. (Note: "linear" is often used for physical or conceptual lines, while "lineal" is specifically for descent.)
Antonyms
- Collateral: (In kinship) Related but not in a direct line of descent.
- Nonlinear: Not arranged in a straight line or sequence.
The family tree shows the lineal descent from the great-grandfather to the great-grandson.
Adjective
- arranged in a line
- in a straight unbroken line of descent from parent to child
- lineal ancestors
- lineal heirs
- a direct descendant of the king
- direct heredity