The x-axis and y-axis are asymptotes of the hyperbola xy = 3.
as·ymp·tote
(ăs′ĭm-tōt′, -ĭmp-)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 asumptōtos, not intersecting : a-, not; see a-1 + sumptōtos, intersecting (from sumpiptein, sumptō-, to converge : sun-, syn- + piptein, to fall; see pet- in Indo-European roots).]
as′ymp·tot′ic (-tŏt′ĭk), as′ymp·tot′i·cal adj.
as′ymp·tot′i·cal·ly adv.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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
[C17: from Greek asumptōtos not falling together, from a-1 + syn- + ptōtos inclined to fall, from piptein to fall]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
as•ymp•tote
(ˈæs ɪmˌtoʊt)n.
Math. a straight line approached by a given curve as one of the variables in the equation of the curve approaches infinity.
[1650–60; < Greek asýmptōtos literally, not meeting =a- a-6 + sýmptōtos, v. adj. of sympíptein to converge; see symptom]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
left: The x- and y-axes are both asymptotes of the curve (a hyperbola).
right: The x-axis is the asymptote of the wave.
as·ymp·tote
(ăs′ĭm-tōt′) A line whose distance to a given curve tends to zero. An asymptote may or may not intersect its associated curve.
The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
| 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" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.