English Lexicon

Nonlinearity

/ˌnɒn.lɪˈnɛr.ɪ.ti/
nounCEFR C1 (Advanced)Top #15000 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    The quality or state of being non-linear, particularly in mathematical or physical contexts.

    "The nonlinearity of the system made it difficult to predict outcomes based on initial conditions."
  2. 2

    A situation in which a change in one quantity does not produce a proportional change in another quantity.

    "In economics, the nonlinearity of supply and demand can lead to unexpected market fluctuations."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The term 'nonlinearity' is derived from the prefix 'non-' meaning 'not' and 'linearity' from the Latin 'linearis', which relates to lines. The concept emerged in the 20th century, particularly in mathematics and physics, to describe systems that do not follow a straight line or proportional relationship.

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