Part 217

In*fin"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Infinities (#). [L. infinitas; pref. in- not + finis boundary, limit, end: cf. F. infinité. See Finite.]

1. Unlimited extent of time, space, or quantity; eternity; boundlessness; immensity. Sir T. More.

There can not be more infinities than one; for one of them would limit the other.

Sir W. Raleigh.

2. Unlimited capacity, energy, excellence, or knowledge; as, the infinity of God and his perfections. Hooker.

3. Endless or indefinite number; great multitude; as an infinity of beauties. Broome.

<! p. 760 !>

4. (Math.) A quantity greater than any assignable quantity of the same kind.

Mathematically considered, infinity is always a limit of a variable quantity, resulting from a particular supposition made upon the varying element which enters it. Davies & Peck (Math. Dict.).

5. (Geom.) That part of a line, or of a plane, or of space, which is infinitely distant. In modern geometry, parallel lines or planes are sometimes treated as lines or planes meeting at infinity.

Circle at infinity, an imaginary circle at infinity, through which, in geometry of three dimensions, every sphere is imagined to pass. -- Circular points at infinity. See under Circular.

In*firm" (n*frm"), a. [L. infirmus: cf. F. infirme. See In- not, and Firm, a.] 1. Not firm or sound; weak; feeble; as, an infirm body; an infirm constitution.

A poor, infirm, weak, and despised old man.

Shak.

2. Weak of mind or will; irresolute; vacillating. "An infirm judgment." Burke.

Infirm of purpose!

Shak.

3. Not solid or stable; insecure; precarious.

He who fixes on false principles treads or infirm ground.

South.

Syn. -- Debilitated; sickly; feeble; decrepit; weak; enfeebled; irresolute; vacillating; imbecile.

In*firm", v. t. [L. infirmare : cf. F. infirmer.] To weaken; to enfeeble. [Obs.] Sir W. Raleigh.

In`fir*ma"ri*an (n`fr*m"r*an), n. A person dwelling in, or having charge of, an infirmary, esp. in a monastic institution.

In*firm"a*ry (n*frm"*r), n.; pl. Infirmaries (- rz). [Cf. OE. fermerie, OF. enfermerie, F. infirmerie, LL. infirmaria. See Infirm.] A hospital, or place where the infirm or sick are lodged and nursed gratuitously, or where out-patients are treated.

In*firm"a*tive (?), a. [Cf. F. infirmatif.] Weakening; annulling, or tending to make void. [Obs.]

In*firm"a*to*ry (?), n. An infirmary. [Obs.]

In*firm"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Infirmities (#). [L. infirmitas : cf. F. infirmite. See Infirm, a.] 1. The state of being infirm; feebleness; an imperfection or weakness; esp., an unsound, unhealthy, or debilitated state; a disease; a malady; as, infirmity of body or mind.

'T is the infirmity of his age.