|
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).
| 
