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infinitesimal

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The definition of infinitesimal is something extremely small or very close to 0, or too small to be measured.

(adjective)

When you have only a single grain of rice, this is an example of a time when you have an infinitesimal amount of rice.

See infinitesimal in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

too small to be measured; infinitely small
Math. of or pertaining to an infinitesimal

Origin: ModL infinitesimus < L infinitus (see infinite), infl. by centesimus, hundredth < centum, hundred

noun

an infinitesimal quantity
Math. a variable that approaches zero as a limit

Related Forms:

infinitesimally adverb

See infinitesimal in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Immeasurably or incalculably minute.
Mathematics Capable of having values approaching zero as a limit.

noun

An immeasurably or incalculably minute amount or quantity.
Mathematics A function or variable continuously approaching zero as a limit.

Origin:

Origin: From New Latin īnfīnītēsimus, infinite in rank

Origin: , from Latin īnfīnītus, infinite; see infinite

Related Forms:

inˌfin·i·tesˈi·mal·ly adverb

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