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)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for asymptote

The curve is symmetrical about the axis of y and has the axis of x for its asymptote.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 7|Various
If these factors are all real and distinct, there is an asymptote corresponding to each factor.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 14, Slice 5|Various
But after you have demonstrated to him the properties of the hyperbola and its asymptote, the apparent absurdity vanishes.
The Religion of Geology and Its Connected Sciences|Edward Hitchcock
Even so there are asymptote figures in geometry where an infinite length makes only a finite progress in breadth.
Theodicy|G. W. Leibniz

The area of the loop, which equals the area between the curve and its asymptote, is 3a/2.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 5|Various

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for asymptote

asymptote

"straight line continually approaching but never meeting a curve," 1650s, from Greek asymptotos "not falling together," from a- "not" + syn "with" + ptotos "fallen," verbal adjective from piptein "to fall" (see symptom). Related: Asymptotic.

Science definitions for asymptote