asymptote

[as-im-toht]

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. 2018

Examples from the Web for asymptote

Historical Examples of 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
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
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
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

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

"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.

asymptote in Science

asymptote

[ăs′ĭm-tōt′]

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