Where does “asymptote” come from?

Asymptote comes from Ancient Greek ἀσύμπτωτος, formed from the prefix ἀ- (not) and a root related to Proto-Indo-European sem- (to fit or join together).

asymptote (English): A straight line which a curve approaches...

Definitions

  1. A straight line which a curve approaches...

Ancestry of “asymptote”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Ancient Greekἀσύμπτωτη
2Ancient Greekἀσύμπτωτοςnot falling together
3Ancient Greekἀ-The alpha privativum, used to make words that...
4Proto-Hellenichə-same; together
5Proto-Indo-Europeansm̥-one; with, together
6Proto-Indo-Europeansem-together, one

Words derived from “asymptote

Every word from Proto-Indo-European sem-Every word from Ancient Greek ἀ-Every word from Proto-Indo-European sm̥-