Limit (l&ibreve_;m&ibreve_;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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Limit, v. i. To beg, or to exercise functions, within a certain limited region; as, a limiting friar. [Obs.]
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