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suitably small adj.

[perverted from mathematical jargon]

An expression used ironically to characterize unquantifiable

behavior that differs from expected or required behavior. 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 characterization of pi under random numbers.

The Jargon File, Version 4.2.2, 20 Aug 2000 · 第 1539 / 1941 题