- The point, edge, or line beyond which something cannot or may not proceed.
- limits The boundary surrounding a specific area; bounds: within the city limits.
- A confining or restricting object, agent, or influence.
- The greatest or least amount, number, or extent allowed or possible: a withdrawal limit of $200; no minimum age limit.
- Games. The largest amount which may be bet at one time in games of chance.
- (Abbr. lim) Mathematics. A number or point L that is 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| < ε if 0 < |x−a| < δ. Also called limit point, point of accumulation.
- Informal. One that approaches or exceeds certain limits, as of credibility, forbearance, or acceptability: He is the limit of irresponsibility.
- To confine or restrict within a boundary or bounds.
- To fix definitely; to specify.
[Middle English limite, from Old French, border, from Latin līmes, līmit-, border, limit.]
limitable lim'it·a·ble adj.SYNONYMS limit, restrict, confine, circumscribe. These verbs mean to establish or keep within specified bounds. Limit refers principally to the establishment of a maximum beyond which a person or thing cannot or may not go: The Constitution limits the President's term of office to four years. To restrict is to keep within prescribed limits, as of choice or action: The sale of alcoholic beverages is restricted to those over 21. Confine suggests imprisonment, restraint, or impediment: The children were confined to the nursery. Circumscribe connotes an encircling or surrounding line that confines, especially narrowly: "A man . . . should not circumscribe his activity by any inflexible fence of rigid rules" (John Stuart Blackie).
