The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Lineal \Lin"e*al\ (l[i^]n"[-e]*al), a. [L. linealis belonging to
   a line, fr. linea line: cf. F. lin['e]al. See 3d Line.]
   1. Descending in a direct line from an ancestor; hereditary;
      derived from ancestors; -- opposed to collateral; as, a
      lineal descent or a lineal descendant.
      [1913 Webster]

            The prime and ancient right of lineal succession.
                                                  --Locke.
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   2. Inheriting by direct descent; having the right by direct
      descent to succeed (to).
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            For only you are lineal to the throne. --Dryden.
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   3. Composed of lines; delineated; as, lineal designs.
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   4. In the direction of a line; of or pertaining to a line;
      measured on, or ascertained by, a line; linear; as, lineal
      magnitude.
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   Lineal measure, the measure of length; -- usually written
      linear measure.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Linear \Lin"e*ar\ (l[i^]n"[-e]*[~e]r), a. [L. linearis,
   linearius, fr. linea line: cf. F. lin['e]aire. See 3d
   Line.]
   1. Of or pertaining to a line; consisting of lines; in a
      straight direction; lineal.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Bot.) Like a line; narrow; of the same breadth
      throughout, except at the extremities; as, a linear leaf.
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   3. Thinking in a step-by-step analytical and logical fashion;
      contrasted with holistic, i.e. thinking in terms of
      complex interrelated patterns; as, linear thinkers.
      [PJC]

            Linear thinkers concluded that by taking the world
            apart, the actions of people were more predictable
            and controllable.                     --David Morris
                                                  (Conference
                                                  presentation,
                                                  Fairfield
                                                  University,
                                                  October 31,
                                                  1997)

   Linear differential equation (Math.), an equation which is
      of the first degree, when the expression which is equated
      to zero is regarded as a function of the dependent
      variable and its differential coefficients.

   Linear equation (Math.), an equation of the first degree
      between two variables; -- so called because every such
      equation may be considered as representing a right line.


   Linear measure, the measurement of length.

   Linear numbers (Math.), such numbers as have relation to
      length only: such is a number which represents one side of
      a plane figure. If the plane figure is square, the linear
      figure is called a root.

   Linear problem (Geom.), a problem which may be solved
      geometrically by the use of right lines alone.

   Linear transformation (Alg.), a change of variables where
      each variable is replaced by a function of the first
      degree in the new variable.
      [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

measure \meas"ure\ (m[e^]zh"[-u]r; 135), n. [OE. mesure, F.
   mesure, L. mensura, fr. metiri, mensus, to measure; akin to
   metrum poetical measure, Gr. me`tron, E. meter. Cf.
   Immense, Mensuration, Mete to measure.]
   1. A standard of dimension; a fixed unit of quantity or
      extent; an extent or quantity in the fractions or
      multiples of which anything is estimated and stated;
      hence, a rule by which anything is adjusted or judged.
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   2. An instrument by means of which size or quantity is
      measured, as a graduated line, rod, vessel, or the like.
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            False ells and measures be brought all clean adown.
                                                  --R. of
                                                  Gloucester.
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   3. The dimensions or capacity of anything, reckoned according
      to some standard; size or extent, determined and stated;
      estimated extent; as, to take one's measure for a coat.
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            The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and
            broader than the sea.                 --Job xi. 9.
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   4. The contents of a vessel by which quantity is measured; a
      quantity determined by a standard; a stated or limited
      quantity or amount.
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            It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in
            three measures of meal.               --Luke xiii.
                                                  21.
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   5. Extent or degree not excessive or beyong bounds;
      moderation; due restraint; esp. in the phrases, in
      measure; with measure; without or beyond measure.
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            Hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth
            without measure.                      --Is. v. 14.
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   6. Determined extent, not to be exceeded; limit; allotted
      share, as of action, influence, ability, or the like; due
      proportion.
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            Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of
            my days.                              --Ps. xxxix.
                                                  4.
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   7. The quantity determined by measuring, especially in buying
      and selling; as, to give good or full measure.
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   8. Undefined quantity; extent; degree.
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            There is a great measure of discretion to be used in
            the performance of confession.        --Jer. Taylor.
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   9. Regulated division of movement:
      (a) (Dancing) A regulated movement corresponding to the
          time in which the accompanying music is performed;
          but, especially, a slow and stately dance, like the
          minuet.
      (b) (Mus.) (1) The group or grouping of beats, caused by
          the regular recurrence of accented beats. (2) The
          space between two bars. See Beat, Triple,
          Quadruple, Sextuple, Compound time, under
          Compound, a., and Figure.
      (c) (Poetry) The manner of ordering and combining the
          quantities, or long and short syllables; meter;
          rhythm; hence, a foot; as, a poem in iambic measure.
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   10. (Arith.) A number which is contained in a given number a
       number of times without a remainder; as in the phrases,
       the common measure, the greatest common measure, etc., of
       two or more numbers; a denominator. See common
       denominator under denominator.
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   11. A step or definite part of a progressive course or
       policy; a means to an end; an act designed for the
       accomplishment of an object; as, political measures;
       prudent measures; an inefficient measure.
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             His majesty found what wrong measures he had taken
             in the conferring that trust, and lamented his
             error.                               --Clarendon.
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   12. The act of measuring; measurement. --Shak.
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   13. pl. (Geol.) Beds or strata; as, coal measures; lead
       measures.
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   linear measure, lineal measure, or long measure,
      measure of length; the measure of lines or distances.

   Liquid measure, the measure of liquids.

   Square measure, the measure of superficial area of surfaces
      in square units, as inches, feet, miles, etc.

   To have hard measure, to have harsh treatment meted out to
      one; to be harshly or oppressively dealt with.

   To take measures, to make preparations; to provide means.


   To take one's measure, to measure one, as for a garment;
      hence, to form an opinion of one's disposition, character,
      ability, etc.

   To tread a measure, to dance in the style so called. See 9
       (a) .
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                 Say to her, we have measured many miles
                 To tread a measure with her on this grass.
                                                  --Shak.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

linear measure
    n 1: a unit of measurement of length [syn: linear unit,
         linear measure]