infinitelyadv.
/ˈɪnfɪnɪtli/ 1.
a. In an infinite degree, or to an infinite extent; without limit or end; boundlessly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > infiniteness > [adverb]
without metc1175
unendlyc1230
endless138.
infinitely1413
interminably1447
incomprehensibly1531
in infinitum1564
ad infinitum1596
unboundably1607
unlimitedly1609
illimitedlya1631
unconfinedly1655
boundlessly1674
unbeginningly1674
illimitably1755
infinitesimally1801
limitlessly1834
measurelessly1839
1413 Pilgr. Sowle (1483) v. xiv. 109 The trouthe of the hooly trynyte passeth infynytely al that may be said.
1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. iv. 54 Considering his effects; howbeit in such sort as that we must thinke infinitely of him.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan iii. xxxviii. 248 God, who is infinitely more mercifull then men.
1777 J. Priestley Disquis. Matter & Spirit vi. 72 Matter is infinitely divisible.
1899 Expositor Feb. 92 There is a power working within us..that is infinitely wiser, stronger and better than ourselves.
1900 N.E.D. at Infinitely Mod. We conceive of space as extending infinitely in all directions.
b. In loose or hyperbolical sense: To an indefinitely great extent; beyond measurement or calculation; exceedingly, immensely, vastly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > extremely or exceedingly > infinitely
infinite1526
immortally?c1550
infinitely1584
unlimitedly1609
unboundedly1611
a worlda1616
infinitively1726
1584 R. Scot Discouerie Witchcraft vi. iv. 120 He grew infinitlie rich.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice v. i. 135 This is the man, this is Anthonio, to whom I am so infinitely bound. View more context for this quotation
1673 W. Temple Observ. United Provinces vi. 208 They buy infinitely, but 'tis to sell again.
1717 Steele in W. B. Scoones Four Cent. Eng. Lett. 173 Dear Prue—I have yours of the 14th, and am infinitely obliged to you for the length of it.
1827 Maginn Red-nosed Lieut. I like the blonde..infinitely.
1868 M. E. Grant Duff Polit. Surv. 49 The Turkish population is infinitely more harshly used than the Christian, as regards exactions.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > infiniteness > [adverb] > without definite limit or indefinitely
infinitelyc1430
full due1574
indefinitely1621
indefinitively1622
c1430 Art Nombryng (1922) 3 And so infynytly mvltiplying by these .3. 10, 100, 1000.
1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde f. 253v Which he knewe..to reach infinitely toward the northeast.
1597 T. Morley Plaine & Easie Introd. Musicke 6 The Keyes..may be continued infinitely.
1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 106 It being not possible for them to goe forward infinitely.
1638 F. Junius Painting of Ancients 344 Even so the mind..runneth on infinitly, remembring all what is to be remembred.
1695 Ld. Preston tr. Boethius Of Consol. Philos. iii. 135 Wherefore that we may not infinitely produce our Reasons.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > [adverb] > indefinitely
indefinitely1471
indeterminably1471
infinitely1530
grossly1537
indeterminately1571
neutrally1571
undeterminately1571
indefinitively1622
vaguely1781
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > insecure knowledge, uncertainty > [adverb] > obscurely
obscurelya1527
diffuselyc1530
infinitely1530
diffusedly1567
cloudily1651
shadowishlya1680
vaguely1781
nebulouslya1796
undefinably1796
undefinedly1827
hazily1830
the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > mood > [adverb] > infinitive
infinitely1530
infinitively1711
infinitivally1882
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 352 And infynitely: je ne scay que pencer.
1574 A. Golding tr. A. Marlorat Catholike Expos. Reuelation 8 The number of seuen is put infinitely.
1591 R. Turnbull Expos. Epist. St. Iames f. 3v In this sence infinitely is ‘seruant’ taken in holy Scripture, meaning all such as serue God in profession of religion.
4. Mathematics. To an infinite extent or amount; without limit. infinitely small = infinitesimal n. and adj.; so infinitely near, to diminish infinitely, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > mathematical number or quantity > [adverb] > infinitely
infinitely1693
myriadfolda1711
1704 C. Hayes Treat. Fluxions 1 These infinitely little Parts of an infinitely little Part of a given Quantity are..called Infinitesimæ Infinitesimarum or Fluxions of Fluxions.]
1693 E. Halley in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 16 556 A Line infinitely long.
1710 G. Berkeley Treat. Princ. Human Knowl. §123 No finite extension contains innumerable parts or is infinitely divisible.
1740 G. Cheyne Ess. Regimen 294 Between an infinitly small, and an infinitly great part of the Diameter of an infinit Circle.
1743 W. Emerson Doctr. Fluxions 279 Draw the Axis..and the Ordinates..infinitely near.
1796 C. Hutton Math. & Philos. Dict. (at cited word) The mean proportional between infinitely great, and infinitely little, is finite.
1828 O. Gregory Hutton's Course Math. (ed. 9) II. 103 The centre of a parabola is infinitely distant from the vertex.
1873 B. Williamson Elem. Treat. Differential Calculus (ed. 2) i. §5 When the increment is supposed infinitely small, it is called a differential.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online September 2021).
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adv.1413