infinitesimal
Approaching zero quantity
Infinitesimal means immeasurably or incalculably small—so tiny as to approach zero without reaching it.
The word originated in mathematics to describe quantities smaller than any assignable value, but now commonly describes anything vanishingly small: an infinitesimal difference, infinitesimal chances of success.
As a noun, an infinitesimal is such a quantity.
Too small to consider
- imperceptibleCannot be sensed
- inappreciableToo slight to measure
- minusculeExtremely small in size
- triflingOf no real importance
inconsequential · trace · iota · scintilla · modicum · smidgen · whit · speck
Maximum allowed extent
- derivativeFunction's rate of change
- integralAntiderivative or crucial component
- differentialRelative difference between things
- epsilonGreek fifth letter
delta · continuity · convergence · Leibniz · Newton · hyperreal · increment · vanishing
Too small for eyes
- nanoscaleBillionth-meter dimension
- subatomicSmaller than atoms
- molecularOf tiny particles
- atomicOf elemental particles
quantum · angstrom · nanometer · picometer · femtometer · ultramicroscopic · submicroscopic · invisible
Greek paradox thinker
- paradoxSeemingly absurd truth
- continuityUninterrupted progression or coherence
- divisibilityAbility to divide evenly
- indivisibleUnable to be divided
monad · Leibniz · Berkeley · continuum · atomism · metaphysics · Aristotle
negligible
Too small to consider
- imperceptibleCannot be sensed
- inappreciableToo slight to measure
- minusculeExtremely small in size
trifling · inconsequential · trace · iota · scintilla · modicum · smidgen · whit · speck · mote
limit
Maximum allowed extent
- derivativeFunction's rate of change
- integralAntiderivative or crucial component
- differentialRelative difference between things
epsilon · delta · continuity · convergence · Leibniz · Newton · hyperreal · increment · vanishing · tangent
microscopic
Too small for eyes
atomic · quantum · angstrom · nanometer · picometer · femtometer · ultramicroscopic · submicroscopic · invisible · indiscernible
Zeno
Greek paradox thinker
- paradoxSeemingly absurd truth
- continuityUninterrupted progression or coherence
- divisibilityAbility to divide evenly
indivisible · monad · Leibniz · Berkeley · continuum · atomism · metaphysics · Aristotle
infinitesimalsubstantial
Of notable size or importance
significant · momentous · considerable · major · consequential