nonlinear

   [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).

[glossary]
[Reference(s) to this entry by made by: {blow up}]