[as-im-toht] 
| a straight line approached by a given curve as one of the variables in the equation of the curve approaches infinity. |
as·ymp·tote (ās'ĭm-tōt', -ĭmp-)  (click for larger image in new window) n. A line whose distance to a given curve tends to zero. An asymptote may or may not intersect its associated curve. [Ultimately from Greek asumptōtos, not intersecting : a-, not; see a-1 + sumptōtos, intersecting (from sumpiptein, sumptō-, to converge : sun-, syn- + piptein, to fall; see pet- in Indo-European roots).] as'ymp·tot'ic (-tŏt'ĭk), as'ymp·tot'i·cal adj., as'ymp·tot'i·cal·ly adv. |
asymptote (ās'ĭm-tōt') Pronunciation Key
(click for larger image in new window) A line whose distance to a given curve tends to zero. An asymptote may or may not intersect its associated curve. |
ɪmˌtoʊt