nonlinear

non lin e ar |nänˈlinēər nɑnˈlɪniər | ▶adjective 1 not denoting, involving, or arranged in a straight line. • Mathematics designating or involving an equation whose terms are not of the first degree. • Physics involving a lack of linearity between two related qualities such as input and output. • Mathematics involving measurement in more than one dimension. • not linear, sequential, or straightforward; random: Joyce's stream-of-consciousness, nonlinear narrative. 2 of or denoting digital editing whereby a sequence of edits is stored on computer as opposed to videotape, thus facilitating further editing. PHRASES go nonlinear informal become excited or angry, esp. about a particular obsession. DERIVATIVES non lin e ar i ty |ˌnänlinēˈaritē |noun, non lin e ar ly adverb