in geometry, a line which continually approaches nearer to another; but, though continued infinitely, will never meet with it: Of these there are many kinds. In strictness, however, the term asymptotes is appropriated to right lines, which approach nearer and nearer to some curves of which they are said to be asymptotes; but if they and their curve are indefinitely continued, they will never meet.

ASYMPTOTIC space, the same with hyperbolic space. See HYPERBOLIC.