infinity Meaning, Definition & Usage

In*fin"i*ty noun

Etymology

L. infinitas; pref. in- not + finis boundary, limit, end: cf. F. infinité. See Finite.

Wordforms

plural Infinities

Definitions

1. Unlimited extent of time, space, or quantity; eternity; boundlessness; immensity. Sir T. More.

   There can not be more infinities than one; for one of them would limit the other. Sir W. Raleigh.

   now known to be false! -- See aleph null, etc.
2. Unlimited capacity, energy, excellence, or knowledge; as, the infinity of God and his perfections. Hooker.
3. Endless or indefinite number; great multitude; as an infinity of beauties. Broome.
4. (Math.) A quantity greater than any assignable quantity of the same kind. ✍ Mathematically considered, infinity is always a limit of a variable quantity, resulting from a particular supposition made upon the varying element which enters it. Davies & Peck (Math. Dict. ).
5. (Geom.) That part of a line, or of a plane, or of space, which is infinitely distant. In modern geometry, parallel lines or planes are sometimes treated as lines or planes meeting at infinity.