Infinite

(in'fin-il.) [From L. inf in it us, without limit.] (Math.) A term which denominates such quantities as are greater or le than any a ignable ones. An I. series is one in which the terms continue to be produced without intermi ion.-(Metaph.) This word, used in opposition to finite, merely expre es our inability to pa beyond the region of our experience of matter and space. Finite means what has a boundary or termination, and applies strictly to body, which is always conceived by us as bounded and terminating in space. The bounded is, in fact, body (or some analogy of body, as when we fancy an enclosure which we do not actually construct); the absence of bounds is free space, which is a real conception. It means scope for movement, freedom from obstruction, and its opposite is some inert matter, standing in our way, to prevent further movement. The unbounded is thus another name for space; and when we arrive at a space with no further prospect of obstruction, we may call that a boundle space, but the only meaning we have thereby is a space which no longer contains material obstruction. And we can conceive of no other end of space. Our whole experience furnishes no other contrast except these two, space and body; and where the one [s. 483]