Ad_infinitum Ad_infinitum

Ad infinitum - Definition and Overview

Ad infinitum is a Latin phrase meaning "to infinity."

In context, it usually means "continue forever," and thus can be used to describe a non-terminating process, a non-terminating repeating process, or a set of instructions to be repeated "forever," among other uses. Examples include:

  • "The series 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 ... continues ad infinitum."
  • "The perimeter of a fractal may be iteratively drawn ad infinitum, and thus it's length will approach infinity."
  • And this humorous 18th century poem by Jonathan Swift:
Great fleas have little fleas
upon their backs to bite 'em,
And little fleas have lesser fleas,
and so on ad infinitum.

Ad infinitum is also a short-lived British musical group.

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