nonlinear

nonlinear
    adj 1: designating or involving an equation whose terms are not
           of the first degree [ant: {additive}, {linear}]
    

nonlinear \nonlinear\ adj.
   1. (Math.) Not depictable graphically as a straight line; not
      changing by a constant amount for each unit of time,
      distance, or other independent variable. Opposite of
      {linear}.
      [WordNet 1.5 +PJC]

   2. (Math.) Containing variables of greater than the first
      degree; -- of an equation. Opposite of {linear}.
      [PJC]

   3. (Physics) Represented by equations containing variables of
      greater than the first degree; -- of physical processes or
      relationships. Opposite of {linear}.
      [PJC]
    

nonlinear
 adj.

   [scientific computation]

   1. Behaving in an erratic and unpredictable fashion; unstable. When
   used to describe the behavior of a machine or program, it suggests
   that said machine or program is being forced to run far outside of
   design specifications. This behavior may be induced by unreasonable
   inputs, or may be triggered when a more mundane bug sends the
   computation far off from its expected course.

   2. When describing the behavior of a person, suggests a tantrum or a
   {flame}. "When you talk to Bob, don't mention the drug problem or
   he'll go nonlinear for hours." In this context, go nonlinear connotes
   `blow up out of proportion' (proportion connotes linearity).
    

nonlinear

   (Scientific computation) A property of a system whose output
   is not proportional to its input.  For example, a {transistor}
   has a region of input voltages for which its output voltage is
   found by multiplying the input voltage by the gain of the
   transistor.  Outside this region though, the transistor
   behaves non-linearly, meaning that it does not obey this
   simple equation.  The behaviour of a system containing
   non-linear components is thus harder to model and to predict.

   [{Jargon File}]