limit

[ lim-it ]

noun

1. the final, utmost, or furthest boundary or point as to extent, amount, continuance, procedure, etc.: the limit of vision.

   the limit of his experience;

   the limit of vision.

2. a boundary or bound, as of a country, area, or district.

   Synonyms: border, frontier, confines

3. Mathematics.
   1. a number such that the value of a given function remains arbitrarily close to this number when the independent variable is sufficiently close to a specified point or is sufficiently large. The limit of 1/ x is zero as x approaches infinity; the limit of ( x − 1) 2 is zero as x approaches 1.
   2. a number such that the absolute value of the difference between terms of a given sequence and the number approaches zero as the index of the terms increases to infinity.
   3. one of two numbers affixed to the integration symbol for a definite integral, indicating the interval or region over which the integration is taking place and substituted in a primitive, if one exists, to evaluate the integral.
4. limits, the premises or region enclosed within boundaries:

   We found them on school limits after hours.

5. Games. the maximum sum by which a bet may be raised at any one time.
6. the limit, Informal. something or someone that exasperates, delights, etc., to an extreme degree:

   You have made errors before, but this is the limit.

verb (used with object)

1. to restrict by or as if by establishing limits (usually followed by to ):

   Please limit answers to 25 words.

2. to confine or keep within limits:

   to limit expenditures.

   Synonyms: bound, restrain

3. Law. to fix or assign definitely or specifically.

limit

/ ˈlɪmɪt /

noun

1. sometimes plural the ultimate extent, degree, or amount of something

   the limit of endurance

2. often plural the boundary or edge of a specific area

   the city limits

3. often plural the area of premises within specific boundaries
4. the largest quantity or amount allowed
5. maths
   1. a value to which a function f( x ) approaches as closely as desired as the independent variable approaches a specified value ( x = a) or approaches infinity
   2. a value to which a sequence an approaches arbitrarily close as n approaches infinity
   3. the limit of a sequence of partial sums of a convergent infinite series

      the limit of 1 + ½ + ¼ + ⅛ + … is 2

6. maths one of the two specified values between which a definite integral is evaluated
7. the limit informal.
   the limit a person or thing that is intolerably exasperating
8. off limits
   off limits
   1. out of bounds
   2. forbidden to do or use

      smoking was off limits everywhere

9. within limits
   within limits to a certain or limited extent

   I approve of it within limits

verb

1. to restrict or confine, as to area, extent, time, etc
2. law to agree, fix, or assign specifically

limit

/ lĭm′ĭt /

1. A number or point for which, from a given set of numbers or points, one can choose an arbitrarily close number or point. For example, for the set of all real numbers greater than zero and less than one, the numbers one and zero are limit points, since one can pick a number from the set arbitrarily close to one or zero (even though one and zero are not themselves in the set). Limits form the basis for calculus , where a number L is defined to be the limit approached by a function f(x) as x approaches a if, for every positive number ε, there exists a number δ such that ‖ f(x)−L ‖

Derived Forms

• ˈlimitableness, noun
• ˈlimitlessness, noun
• ˈlimitable, adjective
• ˈlimitless, adjective
• ˈlimitlessly, adverb

Other Words From

• limit·a·ble adjective
• limit·a·ble·ness noun
• over·limit verb (used with object)
• re·limit verb (used with object)
• under·limit noun
• under·limit verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of limit¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English lymyt, from Latin līmit-, stem of līmes “boundary, path between fields”

Word History and Origins

Origin of limit¹

C14: from Latin līmes boundary

Idioms and Phrases

see go whole hog (the limit) ; sky's the limit ; the limit .

Example Sentences

However, Texas maintains strict limits on who can vote by mail.

From Washington Post

The reality is that SEO agencies have versatile profiles which support them in a particular market, but can become limits for other types of development.

From Search Engine Land

Of all of the restrictions, the most impactful has been the off-limit “target area” – a precise locations that is off limits to individuals named on the gang injunction.

From Voice of San Diego

Moreover, for all the social neediness of others that Terry had bathed in, his sudden disclosures suggested his time for listening had reached a limit.

From Ozy

Chemical clues within these superdeep diamonds suggest that there’s a previously unknown limit to how deep Earth’s carbon cycle goes.

From Science News

Environmentalists today generally prefer to limit roads and block new water projects, even in parched California.

From The Daily Beast

This approach would greatly limit his appeal beyond the Northeast and the west coast.

From The Daily Beast

The argument now is how to limit certain types of plays that banks can make under certain circumstances.

From The Daily Beast

The foremost trendsetter of Scandi-sleek design and New Nordic food knows no limit to its progressive reputation.

From The Daily Beast

Sadly, laws throughout the Middle East—from North Africa to the Gulf—limit the rights of religious minorities and non-believers.

From The Daily Beast

The controlling center of consciousness is the extreme limit of the nares anteri.

From Project Gutenberg

They had been permitted to sit up till after the ice-cream, which naturally marked the limit of human indulgence.

From Project Gutenberg

Another way of learning such a series by rote, is to limit the extent of the repetitions.

From Project Gutenberg

There was no need of Lawrence signaling Dan to come on, for the squad were urging their horses to the limit.

From Project Gutenberg

McNeil, his force now augmented by Shaffer's, resolved to push Porter to the limit, and if possible bring him to battle.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bar
• curb
• define
• hinder
• inhibit
• lessen
• narrow
• reduce
• set
• specify