method of indivisibles

1 definition found

method of indivisibles - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Indivisible \In`di*vis"i*ble\, n.
     1. That which is indivisible.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              By atom, nobody will imagine we intend to express a
              perfect indivisible, but only the least sort of
              natural bodies.                       --Digby.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Geom.) An infinitely small quantity which is assumed to
        admit of no further division.
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     Method of indivisibles, a kind of calculus, formerly in
        use, in which lines were considered as made up of an
        infinite number of points; surfaces, as made up of an
        infinite number of lines; and volumes, as made up of an
        infinite number of surfaces.
        [1913 Webster]