asymptote

 
Pronunciation: /ˈasɪm(p)təʊt/

noun

  • a straight line that continually approaches a given curve but does not meet it at any finite distance.

Derivatives

asymptotic

Pronunciation: /ˌasɪm(p)ˈtɒtɪk/
adjective

asymptotically

Pronunciation: /asɪm(p)ˈtɒtɪk(ə)li/
adverb

Origin:

mid 17th century: from modern Latin asymptota (linea) '(line) not meeting', from Greek asumptōtos 'not falling together', from a- 'not' + sun 'together' + ptōtos 'apt to fall' (from piptein 'to fall')