as·ymp·tote ( s  m-t t , -mp-)n. A line whose distance to a given curve tends to zero. An asymptote may or may not intersect its associated curve. [Ultimately from Greek asumpt tos, not intersecting : a-, not; see a-1 + sumpttos, intersecting (from sumpiptein, sumpt-, to converge : sun-, syn- + piptein, to fall; see pet- in Indo-European roots).]as ymp·totic (-t tk), asymp·toti·cal adj.as ymp·toti·cal·ly adv. |   The x and y axes are asymptotes of the hyperbola xy = 1. |
asymptote [ˈæsɪmˌtəʊt]
n
(Mathematics) a straight line that is closely approached by a plane curve so that the perpendicular distance between them decreases to zero as the distance from the origin increases to infinity
[from Greek asumptōtos not falling together, from a-1 + syn- + ptōtos inclined to fall, from piptein to fall]
| asymptote (sm-tt) A line whose distance to a given curve tends to zero. An asymptote may or may not intersect its associated curve. |  left: The x and y axes are asymptotes of the hypberola xy = 1. right: The x axis is the asymptote of the curve y = sin x/x . |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | asymptote - a straight line that is the limiting value of a curve; can be considered as tangent at infinity; "the asymptote of the curve" straight line - a line traced by a point traveling in a constant direction; a line of zero curvature; "the shortest distance between two points is a straight line" |
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