Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Being the last or greatest in an indefinitely large series; denoting an unspecified member in a sequence, often implying the ultimate or extreme case.

Usage

• The adjective "n-th" is used primarily in mathematical, logical, and figurative contexts to refer to an unspecified ordinal position in a sequence, where 'n' can represent any number. It often emphasizes the concept of an indefinite or very large number in a series.
• It is commonly used in the phrase "to the nth degree", which means to the utmost extent or to the greatest possible degree.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • We had to check every n-th entry in the massive ledger for errors. (We had to check an unspecified, possibly every, entry in the series.)
  • The formula calculates the value of the n-th term in the progression. (The formula finds the value of the term whose position is represented by the variable 'n'.)
  • Her patience was tested to the nth degree. (Her patience was tested to the absolute maximum limit.)

Advanced Usage

• "to the nth": A shortened, informal form of "to the nth degree," meaning to the greatest possible extent.
  • He is meticulous to the nth, checking every single detail.
• In mathematics and computing, it denotes an arbitrary iteration or element.
  • The algorithm's efficiency is evaluated for the n-th iteration.

Variants and Related Words

• Nth (adj): An alternative spelling without the hyphen: .
  • This is the nth time I've reminded you.
• Umpteenth (adj, informal): A non-numerical synonym meaning a very large, indefinite number in a series.
  • For the umpteenth time, please close the door.

Synonyms

• Ultimate: furthest or final in a progression.
• Indefinite ordinal: referring to an unspecified position in a sequence.

Related Phrases

• To the nth degree: (Idiom) To the utmost possible extent or limit.
  • She is reliable to the nth degree.
• The nth power: (Mathematics) A number multiplied by itself n times.
  • The equation involves a variable raised to the nth power.

Adjective

1. last or greatest in an indefinitely large series
   • to the nth degree