epsilontic

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adjective

Pertaining to mathematical analysis using explicit error bound estimation and the epsilon-delta definition of a limit, especially as opposed to using infinitesimals.

Scrabble 14
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Meanings

adjective
  1. mathematicsPertaining to mathematical analysis using explicit error bound estimation and the epsilon-delta definition of a limit, especially as opposed to using infinitesimals.

    The question is of a technical, gymnastic kind, and von Neumann's positive answer [4] uses the set-theoretic and epsilontic trickery appropriate to this domain.

    1966, J. C. Oxtoby, B. J. Pettis, G. B. Price, John Von Neumann, 1903-1957, American Mathematical Soc., →ISBN, page 88
    3 more examples

    If a parameter such as x in (7.71) is continuous, there are other operations of the group 'as close as one likes' to any given operation; in 'epsilontic' language, we must be able to write T(x + ε) → T(x) as ε → 0. (7.76)

    1969, J. M. Ziman, Elements of Advanced Quantum Theory, Cambridge University Press, →ISBN, page 238

    Weierstrass precisely defines a function in the modern sense as a correspondence between two variable quantities—a definition he attributes to Fourier, Cauchy, and Dirichlet—and develops the epsilontic method.

    1996, Ronald Calinger, Vita Mathematica: Historical Research and Integration with Teaching, Cambridge University Press, →ISBN, page 168

    Riemann definitely accepts the epsilontic justification of limit analysis, as shown by his well-known introduction of the concept of the integral in his habilitation paper of 1853 (W. 239), and, more fully, by this paper as a whole.

    2009, Detlef Laugwitz, Bernhard Riemann 1826–1866: Turning Points in the Conception of Mathematics, Springer Science & Business Media, →ISBN, page 44

Origin

From the fact that ε is the usual symbol used to denote an error bound.

Full word history & related roots →

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

inceptisol
Cite this entry
APA

epsilontic. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/epsilontic

MLA

“epsilontic.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/epsilontic. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “epsilontic,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/epsilontic.

Source: epsilontic on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.