infinity
nounUS [ɪnˈfɪnɪɾi] · /ɪnˈfɪnɪti/
Etymology From Middle English infinite, from Old French infinité, from Latin īnfīnitās (“unlimitedness”), from negative prefix in- (“not”), + fīnis (“end”), + noun of state suffix -tās.
endlessness, unlimitedness, absence of a beginning, end or limits to size.
- concept of infinity
- The desert stretched out toward the horizon as if into infinity.
Mathematics, Sciences A number that has an infinite numerical value that cannot be counted.
- 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 23, Michael Riordan, “Tackling Infinity”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 1, archived from the original on 30 Apr 2013, page 86:
Mathematical analysis, Mathematics, Sciences, Topology An idealised point which is said to be approached by sequences of values whose magnitudes increase without bound.
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 ∞.
- Synonyms
- boundlessness, endlessness, infiniteness, infinitude, infinity, limitlessness, unendingness, unlimitedness, ∞
- Antonyms
- finity
- Derived terms
- axiom of infinity, infinity box, infinity-edge pool, infinityfold, infinity pool, infinity scarf, infinity shot, infinity sign, infinity symbol, infinity transmitter, null infinity, point at infinity, zero one infinity rule
- Related terms
- finish, finite, infinite, infinitesimal, infinitieth, infinitude, eternal, eternity, transfinite
- Hyponyms
- beginninglessness