epsilon

noun

ep·​si·​lon ˈep-sə-ˌlän How to pronounce epsilon (audio)
-lən
plural epsilons
1
: the 5th letter of the Greek alphabet see Alphabet Table
2
: something or someone designated with the name epsilon or the Greek letter ε especially denoting the fifth in position, order, or class
3
: an arbitrarily small positive quantity in mathematical analysis
epsilonic adjective

Word History

Etymology

Greek e psilon, literally, simple e

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of epsilon was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near epsilon

Cite this Entry

“Epsilon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epsilon. Accessed 9 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

epsilon

noun
ep·​si·​lon ˈep-sə-ˌlän How to pronounce epsilon (audio)
-lən
: the 5th letter of the Greek alphabet
Ε or ε

More from Merriam-Webster on epsilon

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