asymptote

[ as-im-toht ]
/ ˈæs ɪmˌtoʊt /

noun Mathematics.

a straight line approached by a given curve as one of the variables in the equation of the curve approaches infinity.

Origin of asymptote

1650–60; < Greek asýmptōtos, equivalent to a- a-6 + sýmptōtos falling together ( sym- sym- + ptōtós falling, derivative of ptō-, variant stem of píptein to fall + -tos verbid suffix)

Example sentences from the Web for asymptote

British Dictionary definitions for asymptote

asymptote
/ (ˈæsɪmˌtəʊt) /

noun

a straight line that is closely approached by a plane curve so that the perpendicular distance between them decreases to zero as the distance from the origin increases to infinity

Word Origin for asymptote

C17: from Greek asumptōtos not falling together, from a- 1 + syn- + ptōtos inclined to fall, from piptein to fall

Scientific definitions for asymptote

asymptote
[ ăsĭm-tōt′ ]

A line whose distance to a given curve tends to zero. An asymptote may or may not intersect its associated curve.