infinity
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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English [edit]
Etymology [edit]
From Latin infinitas (“unlimitedness”), from negative prefix in- (“not”), + finis (“end”), + noun of state suffix -tas.
Noun [edit]
infinity (countable and uncountable; plural infinities)
- Limitlessness, unlimitedness, something which is growing without limits or bounds.
- A number that has an infinite numerical value that cannot be counted.
- 2012 January 1, Michael Riordan, “Tackling Infinity”, American Scientist, volume 100, number 1, page 86:
- Some of the most beautiful and thus appealing physical theories, including quantum electrodynamics and quantum gravity, have been dogged for decades by infinities that erupt when theorists try to prod their calculations into new domains. Getting rid of these nagging infinities has probably occupied far more effort than was spent in originating the theories.
- 2012 January 1, Michael Riordan, “Tackling Infinity”, American Scientist, volume 100, number 1, page 86:
- A number which is very large compared to some characteristic number. For example, in optics, an object which is much further away than the focal length of a lens is said to be "at infinity", as the distance of the image from the lens varies very little as the distance increases further.
- The symbol ∞.
Usage notes [edit]
In mathematics there are several different infinities; see transfinite.
Related terms [edit]
Translations [edit]
limitlessness, unlimitedness, something which is growing without limits or bounds
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a number that has an infinite, uncountable numerical value
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a number which is very large compared to some characteristic number
the symbol ∞
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