asymptote

Meanings

Noun

a straight line that is the limiting value of a curve; can be considered as tangent at infinity
- "the asymptote of the curve"
A straight line which a curve approaches arbitrarily closely as it goes to infinity. The limit of the curve; its tangent "at infinity".
Anything which comes near to but never meets something else.

Verb

To approach, but never quite touch, a straight line, as something goes to infinity.

Origin / Etymology

circa 1650, from Ancient Greek ἀσύμπτωτη (asúmptōtē), the feminine of Apollonius Pergaeus' (circa 200 BC) Ancient Greek adjective ἀσύμπτωτος (asúmptōtos, “not falling together”), from ἀ- (a-, “not”) + συν- (sun-, “together”) + πτωτός (ptōtós, “fallen”).

Scrabble Score: 16

asymptote is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
asymptote is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
asymptote is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 17

asymptote is a valid Words With Friends word