An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

1. General: The final, utmost, or furthest → boundary or → point as to extent, amount, continuance, procedure, etc.
   

2a) Math.: Of a → sequence, a → number which is approached ever more closely, but never reached, by the successive terms of a convergent infinite sequence.

2b) Of a → variable, a constant C which has the property with respect to some variable V that, as the variable approaches C in value (according to some formula), the numerical difference (C - V) between the constant and the variable diminishes toward 0 but is always greater than 0.

Etymology (EN): From O.Fr. limite “a boundary,” from L. limitem (nom. limes) “a boundary, embankment between fields, border,” related to limen “threshold.”

Etymology (PE): Loan from Ar. Hadd “limit, term.”