catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  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.
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     2. The space or thing defined by limits.
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              The archdeacon hath divided it
              Into three limits very equally.       --Shak.
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     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.
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              The limit of your lives is out.       --Shak.
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     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), 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.
  
              As eager of the chase, the maid Beyond the forest's
              verdant limits strayed.               --Pope.
  
     2. The space or thing defined by limits.
  
              The archdeacon hath divided it Into three limits
              very equally.                         --Shak.
  
     3. That which terminates a period of time; hence, the period
        itself; the full time or extent.
  
              The dateless limit of thy dear exile. --Shak.
  
              The limit of your lives is out.       --Shak.
  
     4. A restriction; a check; a curb; a hindrance.
  
              I prithee, give no limits to my tongue. --Shak.
  
     5. (Logic & Metaph.) A determining feature; a distinguishing
        characteristic; a differentia.
  
     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.
  
     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.