asymptote

== English == === Etymology === circa 1650, from Ancient Greek ἀσύμπτωτη (asúmptōtē), the feminine of Apollonius Pergaeus' (circa 200 BC) Ancient Greek adjective ἀσύμπτωτος (asúmptōtos, “not falling together”), from ἀ- (a-, “not”) +‎ συν- (sun-, “together”) +‎ πτωτός (ptōtós, “fallen”). See also a-, syn-, -ote. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈæsɪmptəʊ̯t/, [ˈæsɪmtəʊ̯t], /ˈæsɪmtɒt/ (General American, Canada) IPA(key): /ˈæsɪmptoʊ̯t/, [ˈæsɪmtoʊ̯t], /ˈeɪ̯sɪmtoʊ̯t/ === Noun === asymptote (plural asymptotes) (mathematical analysis) A straight line which a curve approaches arbitrarily closely as it goes to infinity. The limit of the curve; its tangent "at infinity". (by extension, figuratively) Anything which comes near to but never meets something else. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Verb === asymptote (third-person singular simple present asymptotes, present participle asymptoting, simple past and past participle asymptoted) (mathematical analysis) To approach, but never quite touch, a straight line, as something goes to infinity. 2006: Neil deGrasse Tyson, The Perimeter of Ignorance As you become more scientific, yes, the religiosity drops off, but it asymptotes. === References === == French == === Etymology === Borrowed from Ancient Greek ἀσύμπτωτος (asúmptōtos). === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /a.sɛ̃p.tɔt/ === Noun === asymptote f (plural asymptotes) (mathematical analysis) asymptote ==== Derived terms ==== asymptotique === Further reading === “asymptote”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012