Notation Question $n$ $ < <$ $m$

Question

What does the following notation mean: $n< < m$ , where $n$ and $m$ are numbers?

Answer 1

It depends on context (just ask a C or C++ programmer) but in mathematics and physics it usually denotes that $n$ is much smaller than $m$. It is a vague notion, but useful at times.

Answer 2

In the context where I have encountered this notation, it meant that $n$ is a lot smaller than $m$. As opposed to, for example, smaller but arbitrarily close to $m$.