ASYMPTOTE

As″ymp‐tote (?; 215), n. [[Gr. � not falling together; ἀ priv. + � to fall together; � with + � to fall. Cf. Symptom.]] (Math.) A line which approaches nearer to some curve than assignable distance, but, though infinitely extended, would never meet it. Asymptotes may be straight lines or curves. A rectilinear asymptote may be conceived as a tangent to the curve at an infinite distance.