First Known Use: 1706
Dictionary
1infinitesimal
noun in·fin·i·tes·i·mal \(ˌ)in-ˌfi-nə-ˈte-sə-məl, -zə-məl\
Definition of INFINITESIMAL
: an infinitesimal quantity or variable
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Origin of INFINITESIMAL
New Latin infinitesimus infinite in rank, from Latin infinitus
Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms
2infinitesimal
adjective
: extremely small
Full Definition of INFINITESIMAL
1
: taking on values arbitrarily close to but greater than zero
2
: immeasurably or incalculably small <an infinitesimal difference>
— in·fin·i·tes·i·mal·ly \-mə-lē\ adverb
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First Known Use of INFINITESIMAL
1710
Related to INFINITESIMAL
- Synonyms
- atomic, bitsy, bitty, tiny, itty-bitty (or itsy-bitsy), little bitty, microminiature, microscopic (also microscopical), miniature, minuscule, minute, teensy, teensy-weensy, teeny, teeny-weeny, wee, weeny (also weensy)
- Antonyms
- astronomical (also astronomic), colossal, cosmic (also cosmical), elephantine, enormous, giant, gigantic, herculean, heroic (also heroical), huge, immense, mammoth, massive, monster, monstrous, monumental, mountainous, planetary, prodigious, titanic, tremendous
Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms
INFINITESIMALLY Defined for Kids
infinitesimal
adjective in·fin·i·tes·i·mal \in-ˌfi-nə-ˈte-sə-məl\
Definition of INFINITESIMAL for Kids
: extremely small <The chance of winning is infinitesimal.>
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