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).

