asymptote
English
/ˈæsɪmptoʊ̯t/
noun
Definitions
- (analysis) A straight line which a curve approaches arbitrarily closely, as they go to infinity. The limit of the curve, its tangent "at infinity".
- (by extension) Anything which comes near to but never meets something else.
Etymology
Borrowed from Ancient Greek ἀσύμπτωτη, ἀ (not, un-, without, privative) + Ancient Greek σύν (with, together, in company with, beside, together with, along with)+ Ancient Greek πτωτός (fallen).
Origin
Ancient Greek
πτωτός
Gloss
fallen
Timeline
Distribution of cognates by language
Geogrpahic distribution of cognates
Cognates and derived terms
- asymptotic English
- asymptotically English
- nonasymptotic English
- preasymptotic English
- synaesthesia English
- synchronic English
- synchrony English
- synedrus Latin
- πίπτω Ancient Greek
- πτωτός Ancient Greek
- συμβουλή Ancient Greek
- σύν Ancient Greek
- σύνορος Ancient Greek
- ἀ Ancient Greek
- ἀσύμπτωτη Ancient Greek
- *peth₂- Proto-Indo-European
- τσαμπούνα Greek (modern)
- אסימפטוטה Hebrew (modern)