INFINITESIMAL

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does infinitesimal mean? 

• INFINITESIMAL (noun)
  The noun INFINITESIMAL has 1 sense:

1. (mathematics) a variable that has zero as its limit

  Familiarity information: INFINITESIMAL used as a noun is very rare.

• INFINITESIMAL (adjective)
  The adjective INFINITESIMAL has 1 sense:

1. infinitely or immeasurably small

  Familiarity information: INFINITESIMAL used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INFINITESIMAL (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(mathematics) a variable that has zero as its limit

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("infinitesimal" is a kind of...):

variable; variable quantity (a quantity that can assume any of a set of values)

Domain category:

math; mathematics; maths (a science (or group of related sciences) dealing with the logic of quantity and shape and arrangement)

• INFINITESIMAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Infinitely or immeasurably small

Synonyms:

infinitesimal; minute

Context example:

reduced to a microscopic scale

Similar:

little; small (limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent)

 Context examples 

That great, infinitesimal question—I can't shake it out of my thoughts.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

These infinitesimal distinctions between man and man are too paltry for an Omnipotent Being.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

In point of fact the three actions of perceiving, determining, and responding were sequential; but so infinitesimal were the intervals of time between them that they appeared simultaneous.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

Thus, he could avoid the leap of another dog, or the drive of its fangs, and at the same moment could seize the infinitesimal fraction of time in which to deliver his own attack.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

"This idea is that we're Nordics. I am, and you are and you are and—" After an infinitesimal hesitation he included Daisy with a slight nod and she winked at me again. "—and we've produced all the things that go to make civilization—oh, science and art and all that. Do you see?"

(The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald)