limits

noun

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

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

(colloquial, as "the limit") A person who is exasperating, intolerable, astounding, etc.

(mathematics) 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).

(mathematics) Any of several abstractions of this concept of limit.

(poker) Fixed limit.

(category theory) The cone of a diagram through which any other cone of that same diagram can factor uniquely.

(logic, metaphysics) A determining feature; a distinguishing characteristic.

(cycling) The first group of riders to depart in a handicap race.

(music) Ellipsis of harmonic limit.

(obsolete) The space or thing defined by limits.

(obsolete) That which terminates a period of time; hence, the period itself; the full time or extent.

(obsolete) A restriction; a check or curb; a hindrance.

verb

(transitive) To restrict; to circumscribe; not to allow to go beyond a certain bound, to set boundaries.

(mathematics, intransitive) To have a limit in a particular set.

(obsolete) To beg, or to exercise functions, within a certain limited region.

adjective

(poker) Being a fixed limit game.

Roots

limeslimit- · Latin · boundary

Synonyms for limits

boundsn circumscriptionn parametersn

Synonyms & related words for limits

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Words related to limits

Explore words related to limits — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include limitation, limitary, boundary, restrict, limitable, circumscribe, confine, extravagate. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for limits

Common synonyms for limits include bounds, circumscription, parameters — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does limits come from?

The word limits breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root limit-, from Latin limes (“boundary”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.