limit Hear it!

limit Definition

limit (lim′it)

noun

  1. the point, line, or edge where something ends or must end; boundary or border beyond which something ceases to be or to be possible
  2. bounds; boundary lines
  3. the greatest number or amount allowed to catch the limit for a day of trout fishing
  4. the maximum amount which may be bet, or by which a bet may be raised, at one time, as in poker
  5. Math. a fixed quantity or value which a varying quantity is regarded as approaching indefinitely

Etymology: OFr limite < L limes (gen. limitis), border, frontier

transitive verb

to confine within bounds; set a limit to; restrict; curb

Etymology: ME limiten < OFr limiter < L limitare

limit Related Forms
lim′·it·able adjective lim′·iter noun
limit Idioms

the limit

☆ Informal any person or thing regarded as unbearable, remarkable, etc. to an extreme degree

limit Synonyms

limit

n.

  1. The boundary

    end, frontier, border; see boundary.

  2. The ultimate

    utmost, bourne, ultimate, farthest point, farthest reach, destination, goal, conclusion, extremity, eventuality, termination, absolute, ultima Thule, the bitter end*, deadline*, cut-off point*, the nines*; see also end 4, finality, purpose 1.

    Antonyms origin*, incipience, start.

  3. The breaking point

    the last straw, breaking point, boiling point, coup de grâce (French).

limit Synonyms

limit

v.

restrict, bound, confine, circumscribe, curb, restrain, delimit, define, narrow, straiten, check, keep within bounds, hold in check, hem in, draw the line*; see also define 1, restrict 2.

limit implies the prescribing of a point in space, time, or extent, beyond which it is impossible or forbidden to go limit your slogan to 25 words; bound implies an enclosing in boundaries or borders a meadow bounded by hills; restrict implies a boundary that completely encloses and connotes a restraining within these bounds, or a restriction of action within narrow limits the soldier was restricted to the camp area; circumscribe emphasizes more strongly the cutting off or isolation of that which is within the bounds, or a restriction of action within narrow limits he leads the circumscribed life of a monk; confine stresses the restraint or hampering of enclosing limits confined in jail

limit Finance Definition
  1. In the futures market, the maximum daily allowable amount that a futures contract may advance or decline during one trading session.
  2. The number of positions that one trader may hold in the market.
limit Usage Examples

Object

  • liability: It is usually better to buy a scheme that limits the liability.

Converse of object

  • exceed: The partnership may also be liable for VAT if the turnover exceeds the current limit.
  • impose: A government can impose limits on the public expenditure bill.
  • set: We do not set any limit on how much disk space is used.
  • enforce: The new system should also allow authorities to use cameras to enforce 20mph limits for roads where humps are not practical.
  • extend: The only ground for extending a time limit should be " cause shown " .

Subject

  • guarantee: Specialist advice is required by anyone considering the use of a company limited by guarantee.

Adjective modifier

  • upper: Upper age limit - 24 years old on the 31st August.
  • 20mph: The new system should also allow authorities to use cameras to enforce 20mph limits for roads where humps are not practical.
  • strict: There are strict time limits for making an appeal.
  • maximum: There is also no maximum age limit for qualifying for paid holidays.
  • low: Lower speed limits, say of 20mph, would apply on designated lanes.

Modifies a noun

  • texas: No limit texas moment i often they can have.
  • theorem: It emphasizes the plastic limit analysis theorems and especially statically admissible force flows and their use for lower bounds to design.

Noun used with modifier

  • speed: He'll be wanting to set speed limits next.
  • mph: After its cessation, the services were assumed by a single Class 47 operating to the original 90 MPH speed limit.
  • overdraft: The overdraft is an authorized overdraft limit ( APR 0 % ) available automatically to all Student Package Account holders.
  • age: Upper age limit - 24 years old on the 31st August.
  • exposure: The low exposure levels used here correspond to exposure limits for whole-body exposure of humans.

Preposition: by

  • guarantee: Specialist advice is required by anyone considering the use of a company limited by guarantee.
limit Quotes

That the automobile has practically reached the limit of its development is suggested by the fact that during the past year no improvements of a radical naturehave been introduced.

—Anonymous

For the first time, we have been able to reach an Kennedy agreement which can limit the dangers of this age.

—Kennedy,John F(itzgerald)

The Canadian kid who wants to grow up to be Prime Minister isn't thinking big, he is setting a limit to his ambitions rather early.

—Richler, Mordecai

There is a definite limit to the length of time a composer can go on writing in one dance rhythm. This limit is obviously reached by Ravel toward the end of LaValse and toward the beginning of Bole¤  ro.

—Lambert, Constant

You can't figure him out like a fact, because to Reagan themainfact was avision† He came fromtheheartland of the country, where people could be down-to-earth yet feel that the sky is the limitönot ashamed of, or cynical about, the American dream.

—Shultz, George P(ratt)