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.
Words nearby finite
Origin of finite
SYNONYMS FOR finite
OTHER WORDS FROM finite
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Examples from the Web for finite
British Dictionary definitions for finite
finite
/ (ˈfaɪnaɪt) /
adjective
bounded in magnitude or spatial or temporal extenta 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 numberCompare 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, adverbfiniteness, nounWord Origin for finite
C15: from Latin fīnītus limited, from fīnīre to limit, end
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
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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