ed to space, time, quantity, or
number. _Countless_, _innumerable_, and _numberless_, which should be
the same as _infinite_, are in common usage vaguely employed to denote
what it is difficult or practically impossible to count or number, tho
perhaps falling far short of _infinite_; as, _countless_ leaves, the
_countless_ sands on the seashore, _numberless_ battles, _innumerable_
delays. So, too, _boundless_, _illimitable_, _limitless_, _measureless_,
and _unlimited_ are loosely used in reference to what has no apparent or
readily determinable limits in space or time; as, we speak of the
_boundless_ ocean. _Infinite_ space is without bounds, not only in fact,
but in thought; _infinite_ time is truly _eternal_. Compare synonyms for
ETERNAL.

Antonyms:

bounded, finite, measurable, restricted, small,
brief, limited, moderate, shallow, transient,
circumscribed, little, narrow, short, transitory.
evanescent,

* * * * *

INFLUENCE.

Synonyms:

actuate, draw, impel, induce, move, stir,
compel, drive, incite, instigate, persuade, sway,
dispose, excite, incline, lead, prompt, urge.

To _influence_ (L. _in_, in or into, and _fluo_, flow) is to affect,
modify, or act upon by physical, mental, or moral power, especially in
some gentle, subtle, and gradual way; as, vegetation is _influenced_ by
light; every one is _influenced_ to some extent by public opinion;
_influence_ is chiefly used of power acting from without, tho it may be
used of motives regarded as forces acting upon the will. _Actuate_
refers solely to mental or moral power _impelling_ one from within. One
may _influence_, but can not directly _actuate_ another; but one may be
_actuated_ to cruelty by hatred which another's misrepresentation has
aroused. _Prompt_ and _stir_ are words of mere suggestion toward some
course of action; _dispose_, _draw_, _incline_, _influence_, and _lead_
refer to the use of mild means to awaken in another a purpose or
disposition to act. To _excite_ is to arouse one from lethargy or
indifference to action. _Incite_ and _instigate_, to spur or goad one to
action, differ in the fact that _incite_ may be to good, while
_instigate_ is always to evil (compare ABET). To _urge_ and _impel_
signify to produce strong excitation toward some act. We are _urged_
from without, _impelled_ from within. _Drive_ and _compel_ imp