ˈasə̇m(p)ˌtōt, usu -ōd.+-V noun
( -s )
Etymology: probably from (assumed) New Latin asymptotus, from Greek asymptōtos, from asymptōtos not meeting, from a- a- (II) + symptōtos, verbal of sympiptein to meet, fall together — more at symptom
mathematics : a straight line associated with a curve such that as a point P moves out along an infinite branch of the curve the distance from the point P to the line approaches zero and the slope of the curve at P approaches the slope of the line
not all curves have asymptotes
the hyperbola has two asymptotes while the parabola has none
[s]asymptot.jpg[/s] [
asymptotes to the hyperbola
]