finite meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

finite

adj

UK /ˈfaɪ.naɪt/ · CA, US /ˈfaɪ.naɪt/

Etymology The adjective is derived from Middle English fynyte, finit, from Latin fīnītus, perfect passive participle of fīniō (“to finish; to terminate”), from fīnis (“boundary”). The word displaced Old English ġeendodlīċ. The noun is derived from the adjective.

Having an end or limit; (of a quantity) constrained by bounds; (of a set) whose number of elements is a natural number.

Grammar, Human sciences, Linguistics, Sciences Limited by (i.e. inflected for) person or number.

finitely generated (as a module).

Of a module (or algebra) over a ring

Antonyms: infinite, nonfinite, infinitival, unlimited, endless, eternal, everlasting
Derived terms: 38 terms
cofinite, finite automaton, finite capacity planning, finite clause, finite continued fraction, finite deterrence, finite difference, finite-dimensional, finite element, finite field, finite generator, finite geometry, finiteless, finitely, finitely generated, finiteness, finite set, finite-state automaton, finite state machine, finite-state machine, finitise, finitism, finitist, finitization, finitize, hyperfinite, locally finite, metafinite, nonfinite, non-finite, non-finite verb, profinite, pseudofinite, quasifinite, semifinite, superfinite, unfinite, σ-finite measure
Related terms: finis, finitude, finity, finitely, finiteness, finite verb, infinite, infiniteness, infinitude, transfinite

finite

noun

A thing which has an end or limit.

Diſagreement in Subſtance or Eſſence […] may be called Diſproportion, as, there is a Diſproportion betvveen Finites and Infinites, i.e. there is no Proportion betvveen them.1733, I[saac] W[atts], “A Brief Scheme of Ontology: Or The Science of Being in General; […]. Chap[ter] XIII. Of Agreement and Difference, of Sameness, and the Doctrine of Opposites.”, in Philosophical Essays on Various Subjects, […], London: […] Richard Ford […], and Richard Hett […], →OCLC, pages 384–385: