catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  Infinity \In*fin"i*ty\, n.; pl. Infinities. [L. infinitas;
     pref. in- not + finis boundary, limit, end: cf. F.
     infinit['e]. See Finite.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. Unlimited extent of time, space, or quantity; eternity;
        boundlessness; immensity. --Sir T. More.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              There can not be more infinities than one; for one
              of them would limit the other.        --Sir W.
                                                    Raleigh.
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     2. Unlimited capacity, energy, excellence, or knowledge; as,
        the infinity of God and his perfections. --Hooker.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. Endless or indefinite number; great multitude; as an
        infinity of beauties. --Broome.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. (Math.) A quantity greater than any assignable quantity of
        the same kind.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: Mathematically considered, infinity is always a limit
           of a variable quantity, resulting from a particular
           supposition made upon the varying element which enters
           it. --Davies & Peck (Math. Dict.).
           [1913 Webster]
  
     5. (Geom.) That part of a line, or of a plane, or of space,
        which is infinitely distant. In modern geometry, parallel
        lines or planes are sometimes treated as lines or planes
        meeting at infinity.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Circle at infinity, an imaginary circle at infinity,
        through which, in geometry of three dimensions, every
        sphere is imagined to pass.
  
     Circular points at infinity. See under Circular.
        [1913 Webster]

  
  
     4. (Math.) A quantity greater than any assignable quantity of
        the same kind.
  
     Note: Mathematically considered, infinity is always a limit
           of a variable quantity, resulting from a particular
           supposition made upon the varying element which enters
           it. --Davies & Peck (Math. Dict.).
  
     5. (Geom.) That part of a line, or of a plane, or of space,
        which is infinitely distant. In modern geometry, parallel
        lines or planes are sometimes treated as lines or planes
        meeting at infinity.
  
     Circle at infinity, an imaginary circle at infinity,
        through which, in geometry of three dimensions, every
        sphere is imagined to pass.
  
     Circular points at infinity. See under Circular.