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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

Related Forms:

limit Idioms

the limit

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

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

finance limit definition - finance

idioms limit idiom

medical limit definition - medical

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

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


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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.

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.

Modifies a noun

  • texas: No limit texas moment i often they can have.

Noun used with modifier

  • speed: He'll be wanting to set speed limits next.

Preposition: by

  • guarantee: Specialist advice is required by anyone considering the use of a company limited by guarantee.
limit usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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)

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

limit quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"limit." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/limit>

APA Style

limit. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/limit

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