the relation between variables when the regression equation is linear: e.g., y = ax + b
lithology
Noun
the branch of geology that studies rocks: their origin and formation and mineral composition and classification
landscape architecture
Noun
the branch of architecture dealing with the arrangement of land and buildings for human use and enjoyment
law of conservation of energy
Noun
the fundamental principle of physics that the total energy of an isolated system is constant despite internal changes
law of conservation of mass
Noun
a fundamental principle of classical physics that matter cannot be created or destroyed in an isolated system
law of conservation of matter
Noun
a fundamental principle of classical physics that matter cannot be created or destroyed in an isolated system
limnology
Noun
the scientific study of bodies of fresh water for their biological and physical and geological properties
lit crit
Noun
the informed analysis and evaluation of literature
liberal arts
Noun
studies intended to provide general knowledge and intellectual skills (rather than occupational or professional skills)
library science
Noun
the study of the principles and practices of library administration
linguistics
Noun
the humanistic study of language and literature
linguistics
Noun
the scientific study of language
lexicology
Noun
the branch of linguistics that studies the lexical component of language
legal philosophy
Noun
the branch of philosophy concerned with the law and the principles that lead courts to make the decisions they do
lexicostatistics
Noun
a statistical technique used in glottochronology
lexical semantics
Noun
the branch of semantics that studies the meanings and relations of words
liturgics
Noun
the study of liturgies
liturgiology
Noun
the study of liturgies
liberation theology
Noun
a form of Christian theology (developed by South American Roman Catholics) that emphasizes social and political liberation as the anticipation of ultimate salvation
linguistic geography
Noun
the study of the geographical distribution of linguistic features
literary study
Noun
the humanistic study of literature
literary criticism
Noun
a written evaluation of a work of literature
literary criticism
Noun
the informed analysis and evaluation of literature
libertarianism
Noun
an ideological belief in freedom of thought and speech
law of closure
Noun
a Gestalt principle of organization holding that there is an innate tendency to perceive incomplete objects as complete and to close or fill gaps and to perceive asymmetric stimuli as symmetric
law of common fate
Noun
a Gestalt principle of organization holding that aspects of perceptual field that move or function in a similar manner will be perceived as a unit
law of continuation
Noun
a Gestalt principle of organization holding that there is an innate tendency to perceive a line as continuing its established direction
law of proximity
Noun
a Gestalt principle of organization holding that (other things being equal) objects or events that are near to one another (in space or time) are perceived as belonging together as a unit
law of similarity
Noun
a Gestalt principle of organization holding that (other things being equal) parts of a stimulus field that are similar to each other tend to be perceived as belonging together as a unit
legalism
Noun
strict conformity to the letter of the law rather than its spirit
localism
Noun
a partiality for some particular place
localism
Noun
a phrase or pronunciation that is peculiar to a particular locality
leftism
Noun
the ideology of the political left
loose sentence
Noun
a complex sentence in which the main clause comes first and the subordinate clause follows
logical quantifier
Noun
(logic) a word (such as `some' or `all' or `no') that binds the variables in a logical proposition
liaison
Noun
a channel for communication between groups
liaison
Noun
a usually secretive or illicit sexual relationship
local call
Noun
a telephone call made within a local calling area
long distance
Noun
a telephone call made outside the local calling area
letter telegram
Noun
a cheaper form of telegram that is sent abroad for delivery the next day
loanblend
Noun
a word that is composed of parts from different languages (e.g., `monolingual' has a Greek prefix and a Latin root)
loan-blend
Noun
a word that is composed of parts from different languages (e.g., `monolingual' has a Greek prefix and a Latin root)
loanword
Noun
a word borrowed from another language
loan
Noun
a word borrowed from another language
loan
Noun
the temporary provision of money (usually at interest)
loan
Verb
give temporarily
Latinism
Noun
a word or phrase borrowed from Latin
linguistic communication
Noun
a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols