1. < mathematics > The size of something infinite .
Using the word in the context of sets is sloppy, since different infinite set s aren't necessarily the same size cardinality as each other.
See also aleph 0
2.
The largest value that can be represented in a particular type of variable ( register , memory location, data type, whatever).
See also minus infinity .
[ Jargon File ]
(1994-11-18)