limit

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the greatest amount of something that is possible or allowed

   there are limits on the amount you can bet

2. 2
   noun

   A restriction; a bound beyond which one may not go or proceed.

   There are several existing limits to executive power.

3. 3
   noun

   A value to which a sequence converges. Equivalently, the common value of the upper limit and the lower limit of a sequence: if the upper and lower limits are different, then the sequence has no limit (i.e., does not converge).

   The sequence of reciprocals has zero as its limit.

4. 4
   noun

   Any of several abstractions of this concept of limit.

   Category theory defines a very general concept of limit.

5. 5
   noun

   The final, utmost, or furthest point; the border or edge.

   the limit of a walk, of a town, or of a country

6. 6
   noun

   The space or thing defined by limits.

   The archdeacon hath divided it / Into three limits very equally.

7. 7
   noun

   That terminates a period of time; hence, the period itself; the full time or extent.

   the dateless limit of thy dear exile

8. 8
   noun

   A restriction; a check or curb; a hindrance.

   I prithee, give no limits to my tongue.

Etymology

From Middle English limit, from Old French limit, from Latin līmes (“a cross-path or balk between fields, hence a boundary, boundary line or wall, any path or road, border, limit”). Displaced native Old English ġemǣre. Doublet of limes.