linéale

Linéale is a term found in French that is not commonly used in modern technical language. In contemporary mathematics and related fields, the more standard form for concepts relating to a line or linearity is linéaire. As a result, linéale is often encountered only in historical texts, specialized dictionaries, or as a variant spelling in older publications. The word derives from Latin linealis, sharing the same linguistic root as linéaire.

Historically, linéale has appeared in contexts where authors described ideas connected to lines or linear relationships, though such usage has largely fallen out of favor in favor of linéaire in standard practice. Because linéale is uncommon today, its precise meanings can vary by source, and it may be treated as an archaic or stylistic alternative rather than a term in active use.

In present-day French reference works and scientific writing, readers are typically guided toward linéaire for any discussion of linear functions, linear maps, or linear algebra concepts. When encountered outside of modern textbooks, linéale is usually understood as a historical or variant form rather than a current technical term. As with many historical spellings, modern editors may prefer to replace linéale with linéaire to maintain consistency.

See also: linéaire, ligne, ligne directe, algèbre linéaire.