infinitesimal
UK/.infini'tesiml/US
GREC2
Definitions
adj.
Extremely small; too tiny to measure.
极微小的，无穷小的。
n.
(math) A quantity smaller than any positive number yet not zero.
（数学）无穷小量。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedin-not, opposite of
+
-itebelonging to, product of
+
-esimalrelating to, having the nature of
=infinitesimal
From the same 'infinite' root, but flipped: an infinitesimal is endlessly small rather than endlessly large — a quantity that never reaches a lower bound. Coined in 17th-century mathematics (the -esimal pattern echoes 'thousandth').
Root fin still carries 30 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.infinitesimal amount极微量
- 2.infinitesimal change无穷小的变化
- 3.infinitesimal probability微乎其微的概率
Example Sentences
- 1.
The risk is infinitesimal, almost nothing.
- 2.
Calculus deals with infinitesimal changes.