infinite

The story

1. Latin · derived fromīnfīnītus
2. Old French · derived frominfinit
3. Middle English · inherited frominfinite
4. English todayinfinite

From Middle English infinite, from Old French infinit and its etymon Latin īnfīnītus, from in- (“not”) + fīnis (“end”) + the perfect passive participle ending -ītus. By surface analysis, in- + finite. Doublet of infinito. Displaced native Old English unġeendodlīċ.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 14th c. Indefinably large, countlessly great; immense.
• from 15th c. Boundless, endless, without end or limits; innumerable.
• from 15th c. Infinitely many.
• from 17th c. Greater than any positive quantity or magnitude; limitless.
• from 19th c. Not limited by person or number.