Delimit
/dɪˈlɪmɪt/
verbB2
Definition
Delimit means to mark or decide the edges, borders, or boundaries of an area, idea, or subject. It is often used when you want to clearly separate or define parts so there is no confusion about where one part stops and another starts.
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See It in Action
To set clear borders or boundaries for an area or object
- •The surveyor will delimit the property to avoid disputes.
- •The teacher asked students to delimit the topic for their essays.
- •The country agreed to delimit its borders with the neighboring state.
To clearly mark limits in ideas or topics
- •It’s important to delimit the scope of the project before starting.
- •The rules delimit what is allowed in the competition.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "delimit" like "limit" (A2 word), but it means to put clear lines or borders around something, not just to stop it
- ✓Picture drawing a line on a map to show where one country ends and another begins
- ✓It's like the feeling when you organize your desk and put things in separate boxes to keep them apart
- ✓Sounds like "dee-LIMIT" → imagine saying "do limit" to yourself as you draw a border to stop things from mixing
- ✓Imagine a fence that separates two gardens clearly, so plants don’t grow into each other’s space
- ✓NOT like "limit" alone, which means to stop or reduce; "delimit" means to show or mark the border clearly
- ✓NOT like "divide" (which means to cut into parts), "delimit" is more about marking the edges, not cutting inside
- ✓NOT like "define" (which means to explain meaning), "delimit" is about physical or clear borders or edges
Try Other Words
- •Define: to explain or describe clearly (Use when focusing on meaning rather than borders)
- •Border: to form an edge around (Use when talking about physical edges or places)
- •Mark: to show or indicate something clearly (Use when emphasizing showing limits or points)
- •Set boundaries: to decide limits (Use in general or informal contexts)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix "de-" (down, from), root "limit" (boundary, edge)
- •Etymology: From Latin "delimitare," meaning to mark the limits or boundaries
- •Historical development: Used since the 1600s to mean marking or fixing borders clearly
- •Modern usage: Common in geography, law, and project management to describe setting clear borders or limits
- •Key insight: Focuses on making borders or edges clear and official, not just general limits
Reflect & Connect
•How can delimiting a topic help you focus better when studying or writing?
•In what situations is it important to delimit physical spaces clearly, and why?
Fill in the blanks
1.The map was drawn carefully to delimit the ___ between the two countries.
2.Before starting the project, the manager asked the team to delimit the ___ to avoid confusion.
3.Delimit is different from limit because it means to ___ the edges clearly, not just stop something.
4.When writing an essay, it is important to delimit your topic so you do not go ___.
5.The fence was built to delimit the garden and keep the plants from ___ into the neighbor’s yard.
6.The teacher asked students to delimit the area of study by setting clear ___.
7.In law, delimit helps to ___ property lines to avoid arguments.