A memory addressing scheme used in processors where the whole memory can Be accessed using a single address that fits in a single register or instruction. This contrasts with a segmented memory architecture, such as that used on the Intel 8086, where an address is given By an offset from a Base address held in one of the "segment registers". Linear addressing greatly simplifies programming at the {assemBly language} level But requires more instruction word Bits to Be allocated for an address. (1995-02-16)