delimit

[dih-lim-it]

verb (used with object)

1. to fix or mark the limits or boundaries of; demarcate.

   A ravine delimited the property on the north.

delimit

/ diːˈlɪmɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to mark or prescribe the limits or boundaries of; demarcate

Other Word Forms

• delimitative adjective
• delimitation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of delimit¹

1850–55; < French délimiter < Latin dēlīmitāre, equivalent to dē- de- + līmitāre to limit

Example Sentences

The Comoe River clearly delimits part of the northeastern frontier between Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso -- but the land border is poorly demarcated.

Read more on Barron's

The phenomenon in which an initial antibody response to a virus dominates and delimits the response to later strains of the same virus is called "immunological imprinting," or "original antigenic sin."

Read more on Science Daily

He rebutted Maduro’s description of oil concessions granted by Guyana as being “in a maritime area yet to be delimited.”

Read more on Seattle Times

One can see this playing out today in the rules for citizenship, voting and other mechanisms that serve to define and delimit participation in democratic politics.

Read more on Salon

One task will be delimiting the ocean, which some researchers think could exist in multiple layers, separated by high-pressure species of ice.

Read more on Science Magazine

Related Words

• demarcate