suitably small

jargon, mathematics (From mathematical jargon) An expression

used ironically to characterise unquantifiable behaviour that

differs from expected or required behaviour. For example,

suppose a newly created program came up with a correct

full-screen display, and one publicly exclaimed: "It works!"

Then, if the program dumped core on the first mouse click,

one might add: "Well, for suitably small values of `works'."

Compare the characterisation of pi under for values of.

[Jargon File]

(1997-09-21)