With another word added to our Dictionary of Awesome, I bid you adieu. I suppose this curiosity stems from the knowledge that we are mortal, and therefore directly subjugated to our own limit on a daily basis. Human has always questioned whether or not anything within this universe, or the universe itself, is in fact infinite or limitless. In such expressions, I take it that reason is used as a rough synonym of efficient cause or proximate cause. I don’t know about all of you, but I find this term to be absolutely fascinating. The purpose of the title is to show how the Latin language, even in its verbal disuse, continues to live on. There is actually a book written by Nicholas Olster called “Ad Infinitum: A Biography of Latin”, in which the author delves into the history of the Latin language from its roots to where it stands today in our society. It is suggested that the first use of the word “ad infinitum” came about in the 17th century.
It is most commonly associated with mathematics, so that the numbers do not have to be continuously written out. It can be used in most contexts, usually to insinuate that something can be continuously repeated a limitless number of times. It is a term that can be used in place by the more easily recognized term ‘et cetera’, and vice versa. Synonyms: ceaselessly, endlessly, forever, perpetuallyĪs is evident by the words spelling and syntactic structure, it is of Latin origin. It did not disappoint.ĭefinition: “to infinity, or forevermore … without end or limit” We can lay down rules ad infinitum, but if they are not implemented in municipal practice, they will have little effect in the end. When I saw the term “Ad Infinitum” sitting at the end of a sentence, I immediately added it to my list, knowing it would lead me along a trail stemming from a fascinating origin, and laced with an equally fascinating meaning. Wir können ad infinitum Bestimmungen festlegen, wenn sie aber nicht auf Gemeindeebene in die Praxis umgesetzt werden, werden sie letztendlich wenig bewirken.
Science, law, linguistics these and many more share a bond with the immortal language. A dead language that no one really knows how to speak, and yet the words themselves remain etched into most fields of study. I must confess that I chose this word based on the fact that it is a Latin term, and I find that particular language to be most fascinating. This one comes from the book I just finished reading, An Abundance of Katherines by John Green. It’s time for yet another Word of the Week! List of Latin terms, phrases, and expressions ad hominem, to the man, personally directed - (as when criticizing someone) ad infinitum, to infinity, endlessly.