Part 215

The water infiltrates through the porous rock.

Addison.

In*fil"trate, v. t. To penetrate gradually; -- sometimes used reflexively. J. S. Mill.

In`fil*tra"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. infiltration.]

1. The act or process of infiltrating, as of water into a porous substance, or of a fluid into the cells of an organ or part of the body.

2. The substance which has entered the pores or cavities of a body. Addison.

Calcareous infiltrations filling the cavities.

Kirwan.

Fatty infiltration. (Med.) See under Fatty. -- Infiltration gallery, a filter gallery.

In*fil"tra*tive (?), a. Of or pertaining to infiltration. Kane.

In"fi*nite (?), a. [L. infinitus: cf. F. infini. See In- not, and Finite.]

1. Unlimited or boundless, in time or space; as, infinite duration or distance.

Whatever is finite, as finite, will admit of no comparative relation with infinity; for whatever is less than infinite is still infinitely distant from infinity; and lower than infinite distance the lowest or least can not sink.

H. Brooke.

2. Without limit in power, capacity, knowledge, or excellence; boundless; immeasurably or inconceivably great; perfect; as, the infinite wisdom and goodness of God; - - opposed to finite.

Great is our Lord, and of great power; his understanding is infinite.

Ps. cxlvii. 5.

O God, how infinite thou art!

I. Watts.

3. Indefinitely large or extensive; great; vast; immense; gigantic; prodigious.

Infinite riches in a little room.

Marlowe.

Which infinite calamity shall cause To human life.

Milton.

4. (Math.) Greater than any assignable quantity of the same kind; -- said of certain quantities.

5. (Mus.) Capable of endless repetition; -- said of certain forms of the canon, called also perpetual fugues, so constructed that their ends lead to their beginnings, and the performance may be incessantly repeated. Moore (Encyc. of Music).

Syn. -- Boundless; immeasurable; illimitable; interminable; limitless; unlimited; endless; eternal.

In"fi*nite, n. 1. That which is infinite; boundless space or duration; infinity; boundlessness.