‖ [ L., to infinity. ] Without limit; endlessly. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of the nature of affinity. -- Af*fin"i*ta*tive*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

a. Closely connected, as by affinity. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Affinities [ OF. afinité, F. affinité, L. affinites, fr. affinis. See Affined. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Relationship by marriage (as between a husband and his wife's blood relations, or between a wife and her husband's blood relations); -- in contradistinction to consanguinity, or relationship by blood; -- followed by with, to, or between. [ 1913 Webster ]

Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh. 1 Kings iii. 1. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Kinship generally; close agreement; relation; conformity; resemblance; connection; as, the affinity of sounds, of colors, or of languages. [ 1913 Webster ]

There is a close affinity between imposture and credulity. Sir G. C. Lewis. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Companionship; acquaintance. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

About forty years past, I began a happy affinity with William Cranmer. Burton. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Chem.) That attraction which takes place, at an insensible distance, between the heterogeneous particles of bodies, and unites them to form chemical compounds; chemism; chemical or elective affinity or attraction. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Nat. Hist.) A relation between species or higher groups dependent on resemblance in the whole plan of structure, and indicating community of origin. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Spiritualism) A superior spiritual relationship or attraction held to exist sometimes between persons, esp. persons of the opposite sex; also, the man or woman who exerts such psychical or spiritual attraction. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. confinité. ] Community of limits; contiguity. [ R. ] Bailey. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. definitis, p. p. of definire: cf. F. défini. See Define. ] 1. Having certain or distinct; determinate in extent or greatness; limited; fixed; as, definite dimensions; a definite measure; a definite period or interval. [ 1913 Webster ]

Elements combine in definite proportions. Whewell. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Having certain limits in signification; determinate; certain; precise; fixed; exact; clear; as, a definite word, term, or expression. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Determined; resolved. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Serving to define or restrict; limiting; determining; as, the definite article. [ 1913 Webster ]

Definite article (Gram.), the article the, which is used to designate a particular person or thing, or a particular class of persons or things; -- also called a definitive. See Definitive, n. - -
Definite inflorescence. (Bot.) See Determinate inflorescence, under Determinate. --
Law of definite proportions (Chem.), the essential law of chemical combination that every definite compound always contains the same elements in the same proportions by weight; and, if two or more elements form more than one compound with each other, the relative proportions of each are fixed. Compare Law of multiple proportions, under Multiple. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A thing defined or determined. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a definite manner; with precision; precisely; determinately. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of being definite; determinateness; precision; certainty. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. definitio: cf. F. définition. ] 1. The act of defining; determination of the limits; as, a telescope accurate in definition. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Act of ascertaining and explaining the signification; a description of a thing by its properties; an explanation of the meaning of a word or term; as, the definition of “circle;” the definition of “wit;” an exact definition; a loose definition. [ 1913 Webster ]

Definition being nothing but making another understand by words what the term defined stands for. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Description; sort. [ R. ] “A new creature of another definition.” Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Logic) An exact enunciation of the constituents which make up the logical essence. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Opt.) Distinctness or clearness, as of an image formed by an optical instrument; precision in detail.

Syn. -- Definition, Explanation, Description. A definition is designed to settle a thing in its compass and extent; an explanation is intended to remove some obscurity or misunderstanding, and is therefore more extended and minute; a description enters into striking particulars with a view to interest or impress by graphic effect. It is not therefore true, though often said, that description is only an extended definition. “Logicians distinguish definitions into essential and accidental. An essential definition states what are regarded as the constituent parts of the essence of that which is to be defined; and an accidental definition lays down what are regarded as circumstances belonging to it, viz., properties or accidents, such as causes, effects, etc.” Whately. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Relating to definition; of the nature of a definition; employed in defining. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. definitivus: cf. F. définitif. ] 1. Determinate; positive; final; conclusive; unconditional; express. [ 1913 Webster ]

A strict and definitive truth. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

Some definitive . . . scheme of reconciliation. Prescott. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Limiting; determining; as, a definitive word. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Determined; resolved. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Gram.) A word used to define or limit the extent of the signification of a common noun, such as the definite article, and some pronouns. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Definitives . . . are commonly called by grammarians articles. . . . They are of two kinds, either those properly and strictly so called, or else pronominal articles, such as this, that, any, other, some, all, no, none, etc. Harris (Hermes). [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a definitive manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of being definitive. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Definiteness. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Definitude . . . is a knowledge of minute differences. Sir W. Hamilton. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ For definitive. ] Definitive; determinate; final. [ Obs. ] Sir H. Wotton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. finire to finish, end. See Finish. ] (Arch.) The knot or bunch of foliage, or foliated ornament, that forms the upper extremity of a pinnacle in Gothic architecture; sometimes, the pinnacle itself. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ From Fine, a. ] Affectedly fine; overnice; unduly particular; fastidious. “Finical taste.” Wordsworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

The gross style consists in giving no detail, the finical in giving nothing else. Hazlitt.

Syn. -- Finical, Spruce, Foppish. These words are applied to persons who are studiously desirous to cultivate finery of appearance. One who is spruce is elaborately nice in dress; one who is finical shows his affectation in language and manner as well as in dress; one who is foppish distinguishes himself by going to the extreme of the fashion in the cut of his clothes, by the tawdriness of his ornaments, and by the ostentation of his manner. “A finical gentleman clips his words and screws his body into as small a compass as possible, to give himself the air of a delicate person; a spruce gentleman strives not to have a fold wrong in his frill or cravat, nor a hair of his head to lie amiss; a foppish gentleman seeks . . . to render himself distinguished for finery.” Crabb.

-- Fin"i*cal*ly, adv. -- Fin"i*cal*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of being finical; finicalness.

{ a. } Finical; unduly particular; excessively demanding over minor details. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. finis end + facere to make. ] A limiting element or quality. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The essential finific in the form of the finite. Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ Fine, a. + -fy. ] To make fine; to dress finically. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Hath so pared and finified them [ his feet. ] B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Fine, a. + -kin. ] Precise in trifles; idly busy. [ Colloq. ] Smart. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The act of imposing a fin&unr_;. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The process of fining or refining; clarification; also (Metal.), the conversion of cast iron into suitable for puddling, in a hearth or charcoal fire. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. That which is used to refine; especially, a preparation of isinglass, gelatin, etc., for clarifying beer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Fining pot, a vessel in which metals are refined. Prov. xvii. 3. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ L. ] An end; conclusion. It is often placed at the end of a book. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Finished p. pr. & vb. n. Finishing. ] [ F. finir (with a stem finiss- in several forms, whence E. -ish: see -ish.), fr. L. finire to limit, finish, end, fr. finis boundary, limit, end; perh. for fidnis, and akin findere to cleave, E. fissure. ] 1. To arrive at the end of; to bring to an end; to put an end to; to make an end of; to terminate. [ 1913 Webster ]

And heroically hath finished
A life heroic. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To bestow the last required labor upon; to complete; to bestow the utmost possible labor upon; to perfect; to accomplish; to polish.

Syn. -- To end; terminate; close; conclude; complete; accomplish; perfect. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To come to an end; to terminate. [ 1913 Webster ]

His days may finish ere that hapless time. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To end; to die. [ R. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. That which finishes, puts an end to&unr_; or perfects. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Arch.) The joiner work and other finer work required for the completion of a building, especially of the interior. See Inside finish, and Outside finish. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Fine Arts) (a) The labor required to give final completion to any work; hence, minute detail, careful elaboration, or the like. (b) See Finishing coat, under Finishing. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The result of completed labor, as on the surface of an object; manner or style of finishing; as, a rough, dead, or glossy finish given to cloth, stone, metal, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Completion; -- opposed to start, or beginning. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Polished to the highest degree of excellence; complete; perfect; as, a finished poem; a finished education. [ 1913 Webster ]

Finished work (Mach.), work that is made smooth or polished, though not necessarily completed. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who finishes, puts an end to, completes, or perfects; esp. used in the trades, as in hatting, weaving, etc., for the workman who gives a finishing touch to the work, or any part of it, and brings it to perfection. [ 1913 Webster ]

O prophet of glad tidings, finisher
Of utmost hope! Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Something that gives the finishing touch to, or settles, anything. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act or process of completing or perfecting; the final work upon or ornamentation of a thing. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Tending to complete or to render fit for the market or for use. [ 1913 Webster ]

Finishing coat. (a) (Plastering) the final coat of plastering applied to walls and ceilings, usually white and rubbed smooth. (b) (Painting) The final coat of paint, usually differently mixed applied from the others. --
Finishing press, a machine for pressing fabrics. --
Finishing rolls (Iron Working), the rolls of a train which receive the bar from roughing rolls, and reduce it to its finished shape. Raymond. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. finitus, p. p. of finire. See Finish, and cf. Fine, a. ] Having a limit; limited in quantity, degree, or capacity; bounded; -- opposed to infinite; as, finite number; finite existence; a finite being; a finite mind; finite duration. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Infinite. [ Obs. ] Sir T. browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a finite manner or degree. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of being finite. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. finire. See Finish. ] Limitation. Cheyne. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Finished with great care; polished. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. indefinitus. See In- not, and Definite. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Not definite; not limited, defined, or specified; not explicit; not determined or fixed upon; not precise; uncertain; vague; confused; obscure; as, an indefinite time, plan, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

It were to be wished that . . . men would leave off that indefinite way of vouching, “the chymists say this, ” or “the chymists affirm that.” Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

The time of this last is left indefinite. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Having no determined or certain limits; large and unmeasured, though not infinite; unlimited; as, indefinite space; the indefinite extension of a straight line. [ 1913 Webster ]

Though it is not infinite, it may be indefinite; though it is not boundless in itself, it may be so to human comprehension. Spectator. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Boundless; infinite. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Indefinite and omnipresent God,
Inhabiting eternity. W. Thompson (1745). [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Bot.) Too numerous or variable to make a particular enumeration important; -- said of the parts of a flower, and the like. Also, indeterminate. [ 1913 Webster ]

Indefinite article (Gram.), the word a or an, used with nouns to denote any one of a common or general class. --
Indefinite inflorescence. (Bot.) See Indeterminate inflorescence, under Indeterminate. --
Indefinite proposition (Logic), a statement whose subject is a common term, with nothing to indicate distribution or nondistribution; as, Man is mortal. --
Indefinite term (Logic), a negative term; as, the not-good.

Syn. -- Inexplicit; vague; uncertain; unsettled; indeterminate; loose; equivocal; inexact; approximate. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an indefinite manner or degree; without any settled limitation; vaguely; not with certainty or exactness; as, to use a word indefinitely. [ 1913 Webster ]

If the world be indefinitely extended, that is, so far as no human intellect can fancy any bound of it. Ray. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of being indefinite. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Indefiniteness; vagueness; also, number or quantity not limited by our understanding, though yet finite. [ Obs. ] Sir M. Hale. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. infinitus: cf. F. infini. See In- not, and Finite. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Unlimited or boundless, in time or space; as, infinite duration or distance. [ 1913 Webster ]

Whatever is finite, as finite, will admit of no comparative relation with infinity; for whatever is less than infinite is still infinitely distant from infinity; and lower than infinite distance the lowest or least can not sink. H. Brooke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Without limit in power, capacity, knowledge, or excellence; boundless; immeasurably or inconceivably great; perfect; as, the infinite wisdom and goodness of God; -- opposed to finite. [ 1913 Webster ]

Great is our Lord, and of great power; his understanding is infinite. Ps. cxlvii. 5. [ 1913 Webster ]

O God, how infinite thou art! I. Watts. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Indefinitely large or extensive; great; vast; immense; gigantic; prodigious. [ 1913 Webster ]

Infinite riches in a little room. Marlowe. [ 1913 Webster ]

Which infinite calamity shall cause
To human life. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Math.) Greater than any assignable quantity of the same kind; -- said of certain quantities. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Mus.) Capable of endless repetition; -- said of certain forms of the canon, called also perpetual fugues, so constructed that their ends lead to their beginnings, and the performance may be incessantly repeated. Moore (Encyc. of Music).

Syn. -- Boundless; immeasurable; illimitable; interminable; limitless; unlimited; endless; eternal. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. That which is infinite; boundless space or duration; infinity; boundlessness. [ 1913 Webster ]

Not till the weight is heaved from off the air, and the thunders roll down the horizon, will the serene light of God flow upon us, and the blue infinite embrace us again. J. Martineau. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Math.) An infinite quantity or magnitude. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. An infinity; an incalculable or very great number. [ 1913 Webster ]

Glittering chains, embroidered richly o'er
With infinite of pearls and finest gold. Fanshawe. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The Infinite Being; God; the Almighty. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. (Computers) a series of instructions in a computer program which, when executed, cause a cyclic repetition of the same instructions, with no other action by the program, for as long as the program continues to be executed, or the loop is interrupted by some external action. [ PJC ]

☞ An infinite loop is rarely written intentionally except in cases where the loop is intended merely as a waiting sequence, to be interrupted by some action of the user. It is more commonly the result of a serious logical error on the part of the programmer, resulting in a failure of the program. Its execution can be halted only by halting execution of the program, e.g. by intervention of the operating system or by halting or resetting the computer. In single-user systems, when executing an infinite loop, the computer will appear to halt operation of the program, and the program will be unresponsive to normal keyboard input, though it may be interrupted by an unmasked interrupt. [ PJC ]

adv. 1. Without bounds or limits; beyond or below assignable limits; as, an infinitely large or infinitely small quantity. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Very; exceedingly; vastly; highly; extremely. “Infinitely pleased.” Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state or quality of being infinite; infinity; greatness; immensity. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Philosophy, Logic) A causal relationship transmitted through an indefinite number of terms in a series, with no term that begins the causal chain. [ PJC ]

a. [ Cf. F. infinitésimal, fr. infinitésime infinitely small, fr. L. infinitus. See Infinite, a. ] Infinitely or indefinitely small; less than any assignable quantity or value; very small. [ 1913 Webster ]

Infinitesimal calculus, the different and the integral calculus, when developed according to the method used by Leibnitz, who regarded the increments given to variables as infinitesimal. [ 1913 Webster ]