— limitable , adj. — limitableness , n.
/lim"it/ , n.
1. the final, utmost, or furthest boundary or point as to extent, amount, continuance, procedure, etc.: the limit of his experience; the limit of vision.
2. a boundary or bound, as of a country, area, or district.
3. Math.
a. a number such that the value of a given function remains arbitrarily close to this number when the independent variable is sufficiently close to a specified point or is sufficiently large. The limit of 1/ x is zero as x approaches infinity; the limit of ( x - 1) 2 is zero as x approaches 1.
b. a number such that the absolute value of the difference between terms of a given sequence and the number approaches zero as the index of the terms increases to infinity.
c. one of two numbers affixed to the integration symbol for a definite integral, indicating the interval or region over which the integration is taking place and substituted in a primitive, if one exists, to evaluate the integral.
4. limits , the premises or region enclosed within boundaries: We found them on school limits after hours.
5. Games. the maximum sum by which a bet may be raised at any one time.
6. the limit , Informal. something or someone that exasperates, delights, etc., to an extreme degree: You have made errors before, but this is the limit.
v.t.
7. to restrict by or as if by establishing limits (usually fol. by to ): Please limit answers to 25 words.
8. to confine or keep within limits: to limit expenditures.
9. Law. to fix or assign definitely or specifically.
[ 1325-75; ME lymyt limit- (s. of limes ) boundary, path between fields ]
Syn. 2. confine, frontier, border. 8. restrain, bound.