| limicoline | <zoology> Shore-inhabiting; of or pertaining to the Limicolae. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| liminal | 1. Pertaining to a threshold. 2. Pertaining to a stimulus just strong enough to excite a tissue, e.g., nerve or muscle. Origin: L. Limen (limin-), a threshold (05 Mar 2000) |
| liminal stimulus | A stimulus of threshold strength, i.e., one just strong enough to excite. See: adequate stimulus. Synonym: liminal stimulus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| liminal trait | A trait that falls into natural groups that originate not in categorically distinct causes but in whether or not the outcome attains critical values; e.g., gallstones may result from a categorical cause or from unusual levels of causal factors that themselves show no evidence of grouping. Synonym: liminal trait. (05 Mar 2000) |
| liminometer | An instrument for measuring the strength of a stimulus which is barely sufficient to produce a reflex response. Origin: L. Limen, threshold, + G. Metron, measure (05 Mar 2000) |
| limit | 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. "As eager of the chase, the maid Beyond the forest's verdant limits strayed." (Pope) 2. The space or thing defined by limits. "The archdeacon hath divided it Into three limits very equally." (Shak) 3. That which terminates a period of time; hence, the period itself; the full time or extent. "The dateless limit of thy dear exile." (Shak) "The limit of your lives is out." (Shak) 4. A restriction; a check; a curb; a hindrance. "I prithee, give no limits to my tongue." (Shak) 5. <logic> A determining feature; a distinguishing characteristic a differentia. 6. <mathematics> 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. Elastic limit. See Elastic. Prison limits, a definite, extent of space in or around a prison, within which a prisoner has liberty to go and come. Synonym: Boundary, border, edge, termination, restriction, bound, confine. Origin: From L. Limes, limitis: cf. F.limite; -or from E. Limit, v. See Limit. To apply a limit to, or set a limit for; to terminate, circumscribe, or restrict, by a limit or limits; as, to limit the acreage of a crop; to limit the issue of paper money; to limit one's ambitions or aspirations; to limit the meaning of a word. <astronomy> Limiting parallels, those parallels of latitude between which only an occultation of a star or planet by the moon, in a given case, can occur. Origin: F. Limiter, L. Limitare, fr. Limes, limitis, limit; prob. Akin to limen threshold, E. Eliminate; cf. L. Limus sidelong. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| limit dextrin | The polysaccharide fragments remaining at the end (limit) of exhaustive hydrolysis of amylopectin or glycogen by alpha-1,4-glucan maltohydrolase, which cannot hydrolyze the alpha-1,6 bonds at branch points; accumulates in individuals with type III glycogen storage disease. Synonym: dextrin limit. (05 Mar 2000) |
| limit dextrinase | <enzyme> An enzyme with action similar to that of isoamylase; it cleaves 1,6-alpha-glucosidic linkages in pullalan, amylopectin, and glycogen, and in alpha-and beta-amylase limit-dextrins of amylopectin and glycogen. Compare: isoamylase. Synonym: limit dextrinase, pullulanase, R enzyme. (05 Mar 2000) |
| limit dextrinosis | Glycogenosis due to amylo-1,6-glucosidase deficiency, resulting in accumulation of abnormal glycogen with short outer chains in liver and muscle. Synonym: Cori's disease, debranching deficiency limit dextrinosis, limit dextrinosis, Forbes' disease. (05 Mar 2000) |
| limit of resolution | 1. <optics> The resolution of an optical system defines the closest proximity of two objects that can be seen as two distinct regions of the image. This limit depends upon the Numerical Aperture of the optical system, the contrast step between objects and background and the shape of the objects. The often quoted Airy limit applies only to self luminous discs. 2. <genetics> The smallest map distance measurable by an experiment involving a certain number of classified recombinant progency. (10 Mar 1998) |
| limitation | 1. The act of limiting; the state or condition of being limited; as, the limitation of his authority was approved by the council. "They had no right to mistake the limitation . . . Of their own faculties, for an inherent limitation of the possible modes of existence in the universe." (J. S. Mill) 2. That which limits; a restriction; a qualification; a restraining condition, defining circumstance, or qualifying conception; as, limitations of thought. "The cause of error is ignorance what restraints and limitations all principles have in regard of the matter whereunto they are applicable." (Hooker) 3. A certain precinct within which friars were allowed to beg, or exercise their functions; also, the time during which they were permitted to exercise their functions in such a district. 4. A limited time within or during which something is to be done. "You have stood your limitation, and the tribunes Endue you with the people's voice." (Shak) 5. A certain period limited by statute after which the claimant shall not enforce his claims by suit. A settling of an estate or property by specific rules. A restriction of power; as, a constitutional limitation. To know one's own limitations, to know the reach and limits of one's abilities. Origin: L. Limitatio: cf. F. Limitation. See Limit. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| limited habitat | A habitat type that is rare or has been significantly reduced from its historical distribution, either locally or statewide, and is of special importance meeting the general life requirements of many wildlife species. (09 Oct 1997) |
| limited range audiometer | A pure-tone audiometer designed to test restricted ranges of frequency and sound pressure. (05 Mar 2000) |
| limiting angle | The angle of incidence at which a ray of light, in passing between two media, changes from refraction to total reflection. Synonym: limiting angle. (05 Mar 2000) |
| limiting factor | Environmental factor that limits the growth or activities of an organism or that restricts the size of a population or its geographical range. (09 Oct 1997) |