asymptotical
|a-symp-to-tic-al|
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/ˌeɪsəm(p)ˈtɑtɪkəl/
🇬🇧
/ˌeɪsɪmˈtɒtɪkəl/
(asymptotic)
approaching without meeting
Etymology
'asymptotical' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'asymptōtos' (ἀσύμπτωτος), where the prefix 'a-' meant 'not' and the root 'symptō' (from 'sympiptein'/'sympipto') meant 'to fall together' or 'to meet'.
'asymptotical' developed via Late Latin/Neo-Latin and French — Greek 'asymptōtos' passed into New Latin/late scientific Latin as 'asymptoticus' and French as 'asymptotique', and eventually entered English as 'asymptotic' with the adjectival variant 'asymptotical'.
Initially, the Greek term meant 'not falling together' or 'not meeting'; over time it came to be used in mathematics for lines or curves that approach each other but do not meet, giving the modern meaning 'approaching but not reaching'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or having the character of an asymptote; approaching a given value, curve, or line arbitrarily closely but never reaching it (mathematical sense).
The curve is asymptotical to the line y = 1 as x approaches infinity.
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Adjective 2
describing behavior or change that approaches a limit or condition progressively but never fully attains it (general/figurative sense).
Her recovery was asymptotical — she improved steadily but never fully returned to her previous condition.
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Last updated: 2025/10/29 07:20