Associations to the word «Asymptote»

Wiktionary

ASYMPTOTE, noun. (analysis) A straight line which a curve approaches arbitrarily closely, as they go to infinity. The limit of the curve, its tangent "at infinity".
ASYMPTOTE, noun. (by extension) (figuratively) Anything which comes near to but never meets something else.
ASYMPTOTE, verb. (analysis) To approach, but never quite touch, a straight line, as something goes to infinity.

Dictionary definition

ASYMPTOTE, noun. A straight line that is the limiting value of a curve; can be considered as tangent at infinity; "the asymptote of the curve".

Wise words

Language is a process of free creation; its laws and principles are fixed, but the manner in which the principles of generation are used is free and infinitely varied. Even the interpretation and use of words involves a process of free creation.
Noam Chomsky