infinitesimal — extremely small; minute
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: extremely small; minute
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˌɪnfɪˈnɪtəsɪməl/
Example Sentences
- My chances of winning the lottery are infinitesimal, but I still buy tickets every week.
- The scientist detected infinitesimal traces of the rare element.
- The difference between my cooking and Gordon Ramsay's is infinitesimal - if you use a microscope!
infinitesimal
ADJECTIVE[/ˌɪnfɪˈnɪtəsɪməl/]
extremely small; minute
Under the microscope, an infinitesimal speck of dust floats between the glass slides.
Beyond every decimal lies the infinitesimal!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Modern Latin 'infinitesimalis', derived from 'infinitesimus' (infinitesimal part), which comes from 'infinitus' (infinite) combined with the ordinal suffix '-esimus'. The term was coined by mathematicians in the 17th century to describe quantities smaller than any assignable magnitude.
Breakdown
in- (not) + finitus (finite/limited) + -esimal (ordinal suffix) = infinitesimal (not finite/extremely small)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My chances of winning the lottery are infinitesimal, but I still buy tickets every week.”
“The scientist detected infinitesimal traces of the rare element.”
“The difference between my cooking and Gordon Ramsay's is infinitesimal - if you use a microscope!”
“Each infinitesimal step in the process was carefully monitored.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
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