Limit

//ˈlɪm.ɪt// adj, noun, verb, slang

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Being a fixed limit game. not-comparable
Noun
  1. 1
    A restriction; a bound beyond which one may not go.

    "There are several existing limits to executive power."

  2. 2
    the greatest possible degree of something wordnet
  3. 3
    A value to which a sequence converges. Equivalently, the common value of the upper limit and the lower limit of a sequence: if the upper and lower limits are different, then the sequence has no limit (i.e., does not converge).

    "The sequence of reciprocals has zero as its limit."

  4. 4
    the boundary of a specific area wordnet
  5. 5
    Any of several abstractions of this concept of limit.

    "Category theory defines a very general concept of limit."

Show 14 more definitions
  1. 6
    as far as something can go wordnet
  2. 7
    The cone of a diagram through which any other cone of that same diagram can factor uniquely.
  3. 8
    the greatest amount of something that is possible or allowed wordnet
  4. 9
    Fixed limit.
  5. 10
    the mathematical value toward which a function goes as the independent variable approaches infinity wordnet
  6. 11
    The final, utmost, or furthest point; the border or edge.

    "the limit of a walk, of a town, or of a country"

  7. 12
    final or latest limiting point wordnet
  8. 13
    The space or thing defined by limits. obsolete

    "The archdeacon hath divided it / Into three limits very equally."

  9. 14
    That which terminates a period of time; hence, the period itself; the full time or extent. obsolete

    "the dateless limit of thy dear exile"

  10. 15
    A restriction; a check or curb; a hindrance. obsolete

    "I prithee, give no limits to my tongue."

  11. 16
    A determining feature; a distinguishing characteristic.
  12. 17
    The first group of riders to depart in a handicap race.
  13. 18
    A person who is exasperating, intolerable, astounding, etc. colloquial

    "Englehorn looked at his employer in incredulous admiration. ‘You’re the limit,’ he declared."

  14. 19
    Ellipsis of harmonic limit. abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis
Verb
  1. 1
    To restrict; to circumscribe; not to allow to go beyond a certain bound, to set boundaries. transitive

    "We need to limit the power of the executive."

  2. 2
    place limits on (extent or amount or access) wordnet
  3. 3
    To have a limit in a particular set. intransitive

    "The sequence limits on the point a."

  4. 4
    restrict or confine within limits wordnet
  5. 5
    To beg, or to exercise functions, within a certain limited region. obsolete

    "a limiting friar"

Show 1 more definition
  1. 6
    decide upon or fix definitely wordnet

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English limit, from Old French limit, from Latin līmes (“a cross-path or balk between fields, hence a boundary, boundary line or wall, any path or road, border, limit”). Displaced native Old English ġemǣre. Doublet of limes.

Etymology 2

From Middle English limit, from Old French limit, from Latin līmes (“a cross-path or balk between fields, hence a boundary, boundary line or wall, any path or road, border, limit”). Displaced native Old English ġemǣre. Doublet of limes.

Etymology 3

From Middle English limiten, from Old French limiter, from Latin līmitō (“to bound, limit, fix, determine”), from līmes; see noun.

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