The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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.
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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.
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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.
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I prithee, give no limits to my tongue. --Shak.
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5. (Logic & Metaph.) A determining feature; a distinguishing
characteristic; a differentia.
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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.
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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.
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