limit

Noun · Verb

Synonyms: bound boundary terminus ad quem terminal point demarcation demarcation line limit point point of accumulation limitation restrict restrain trammel

WordNet 3.0

Noun (6)

the greatest possible degree of something“what he did was beyond the bounds of acceptable behavior”“to the limit of his ability”Synonyms: bound boundary
final or latest limiting pointSynonyms: terminus ad quem terminal point
as far as something can go
the boundary of a specific areaSynonyms: demarcation demarcation line
the mathematical value toward which a function goes as the independent variable approaches infinitySynonyms: limit point point of accumulation
the greatest amount of something that is possible or allowed“there are limits on the amount you can bet”“it is growing rapidly with no limitation in sight”Synonyms: limitation

Verb (3)

place limits on (extent or access)“restrict the use of this parking lot”“limit the time you can spend with your friends”Synonyms: restrict restrain trammel bound confine throttle
restrict or confine, "I limit you to two visits to the pub a day"Synonyms: circumscribe confine
decide upon or fix definitely“fix the variables”“specify the parameters”Synonyms: specify set determine define fix

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Limit \Lim"it\ (l[i^]m"[i^]t), n. [From L. limes, limitis: cf. F. limite; -or from E. limit, v. See Limit, v. t.]

1.That which terminates, circumscribes, restrains, or confines; the bound, border, or edge; the utmost extent; as, the limit of a walk, of a town, of a country; the limits of human knowledge or endeavor. [1913 Webster]

As eager of the chase, the maid Beyond the forest's verdant limits strayed.— Pope.[1913 Webster]

2.The space or thing defined by limits. [1913 Webster]

The archdeacon hath divided it Into three limits very equally.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

3.That which terminates a period of time; hence, the period itself; the full time or extent. [1913 Webster]

The dateless limit of thy dear exile.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

The limit of your lives is out.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

4.A restriction; a check; a curb; a hindrance. [1913 Webster]

I prithee, give no limits to my tongue.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

5.(Logic & Metaph.) A determining feature; a distinguishing characteristic; a differentia. [1913 Webster]

6.(Math.) A determinate quantity, to which a variable one continually approaches, and may differ from it by less than any given difference, but to which, under the law of variation, the variable can never become exactly equivalent. [1913 Webster]

Elastic limit. See under Elastic.

Prison limits, a definite, extent of space in or around a prison, within which a prisoner has liberty to go and come.

Syn: Boundary; border; edge; termination; restriction; bound; confine. [1913 Webster]

Limit \Lim"it\ (l[i^]m"[i^]t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Limited; p. pr. & vb. n. Limiting.] [F. limiter, L. limitare, fr. limes, limitis, limit; prob. akin to limen threshold, E. eliminate; cf. L. limus sidelong.] To apply a limit to, or set a limit for; to terminate, circumscribe, or restrict, by a limit or limits; as, to limit the acreage of a crop; to limit the issue of paper money; to limit one's ambitions or aspirations; to limit the meaning of a word. [1913 Webster]

Limiting parallels (Astron.), those parallels of latitude between which only an occultation of a star or planet by the moon, in a given case, can occur. [1913 Webster]

Limit \Lim"it\, v. i. To beg, or to exercise functions, within a certain limited region; as, a limiting friar. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]