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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Elastic \E*las"tic\ ([-e]*l[a^]s"t[i^]k), a. [Formed fr. Gr.
   'elay`nein to drive; prob. akin to L. alacer lively, brisk,
   and E. alacrity: cf. F. ['e]lastique.]
   1. Springing back; having a power or inherent property of
      returning to the form from which a substance is bent,
      drawn, pressed, or twisted; springy; having the power of
      rebounding; as, a bow is elastic; the air is elastic;
      India rubber is elastic.
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            Capable of being drawn out by force like a piece of
            elastic gum, and by its own elasticity returning,
            when the force is removed, to its former position.
                                                  --Paley.
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   2. Able to return quickly to a former state or condition,
      after being depressed or overtaxed; having power to
      recover easily from shocks and trials; as, elastic
      spirits; an elastic constitution.
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   Elastic bitumen. (Min.) See Elaterite.

   Elastic curve.
      (a) (Geom.) The curve made by a thin elastic rod fixed
          horizontally at one end and loaded at the other.
      (b) (Mech.) The figure assumed by the longitudinal axis of
          an originally straight bar under any system of bending
          forces. --Rankine.

   Elastic fluids, those which have the property of expanding
      in all directions on the removal of external pressure, as
      the air, steam, and other gases and vapors.

   Elastic limit (Mech.), the limit of distortion, by bending,
      stretching, etc., that a body can undergo and yet return
      to its original form when relieved from stress; also, the
      unit force or stress required to produce this distortion.
      Within the elastic limit the distortion is directly
      proportional to the stress producing it.

   Elastic tissue (Anat.), a variety of connective tissue
      consisting of a network of slender and very elastic fibers
      which are but slightly affected by acids or alkalies.

   Gum elastic, caoutchouc.
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