finite
[ fahy-nahyt ]
/ ˈfaɪ naɪt /
adjective
having bounds or limits; not infinite; measurable.
Mathematics.
- (of a set of elements) capable of being completely counted.
- not infinite or infinitesimal.
- not zero.
subject to limitations or conditions, as of space, time, circumstances, or the laws of nature: man's finite existence on earth.
noun
something that is finite.
Origin of finite
SYNONYMS FOR finite
OTHER WORDS FROM finite
Words nearby finite
Example sentences from the Web for finite
British Dictionary definitions for finite
finite
/ (ˈfaɪnaɪt) /
adjective
bounded in magnitude or spatial or temporal extent
a finite difference
maths logic
having a number of elements that is a natural number; able to be counted using the natural numbers less than some natural number
Compare denumerable, infinite (def. 4)
- limited or restricted in naturehuman existence is finite
- (as noun)the finite
denoting any form or occurrence of a verb inflected for grammatical features such as person, number, and tense
Derived forms of finite
finitely, adverb finiteness, nounWord Origin for finite
C15: from Latin
fīnītus limited, from
fīnīre to limit, end
Scientific definitions for finite
finite
[ fī′nīt′ ]
Relating to a set that cannot be put into a one-to-one correspondence with any proper subset of its own members.
Relating to or being a numerical quantity describing the size of such a set.
Being a member of the set of real or complex numbers.
Being a quantity that is non-zero and not infinite.