infini (French)
Where does "infini" come from?
The French word 'infini' traces its roots back to the Latin 'infinitus,' a combination of the prefix 'in-' meaning 'not' and 'finitus,' which describes something finished or limited. By literally meaning 'not bounded,' the word evolved through Latin to become a descriptor for things that are logically endless or ceaseless. Today, it retains this core classical sense of being without a boundary or finish.
Full etymology tree
- infini (French), 'endless, ceaseless, unending'
- inherited infinitus (Latin), 'boundless, unlimited, endless'
- compound in- (Latin), 'un-, non-, not'
- inherited *ən- (Proto-Italic), 'un-'
- inherited *n̥- (Proto-Indo-European), 'not, un-'
- derived *né (Proto-Indo-European), 'not'
- inherited *n̥- (Proto-Indo-European), 'not, un-'
- inherited *ən- (Proto-Italic), 'un-'
- compound finitus (Latin), 'finished, terminated, having been finished or terminated.'
- deverbal finio (Latin), 'to finish, terminate'
- derived finis (Latin), 'end'
- deverbal finio (Latin), 'to finish, terminate'
- compound in- (Latin), 'un-, non-, not'
- inherited infinitus (Latin), 'boundless, unlimited, endless'
Descendants and derived words
- boucle infinie (French)
- récursion infinie (French)
Updated May 2026
Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris