FINITE


Meaning of FINITE in English

adj.

Pronunciation: ' f ī - ˌ n ī t

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English finit, from Latin finitus, past participle of finire

Date: 15th century

1 a : having definite or definable limits <a finite number of possibilities> b : having a limited nature or existence < finite beings>

2 : completely determinable in theory or in fact by counting, measurement, or thought <the finite velocity of light>

3 a : less than an arbitrary positive integer and greater than the negative of that integer b : having a finite number of elements <a finite set>

4 : of, relating to, or being a verb or verb form that can function as a predicate or as the initial element of one and that is limited (as in tense, person, and number)

– finite noun

– fi · nite · ly adverb

– fi · nite · ness noun

Merriam Webster Collegiate English Dictionary.      Merriam Webster - Энциклопедический словарь английского языка.