delimited

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "delimited" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to mean separate, limit, or distinguish something from something else. For example: "The teacher delimited the students into two groups for the activity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Coverage in Le Monde has been divided between editorials demanding that "the work of security agencies be delimited by effective parliamentary or judicial procedures of control", and breathless accounts of communications between French and American security forces over whether the Americans were behind the cyberattacks on the French president's office in 2012.

The Economist

It is an ocean plus some almost entirely delimited land.

The Economist

A bigger row could yet erupt over continental shelves, most of which are being slowly delimited under the UN's Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The Economist

But in this era of "big data", the line between public and private can no longer be delimited by physical boundaries.Complicating matters, there is no clear line between episodic surveillance a snapshot and persistent surveillance, even though the effects are profoundly different.

The Economist

Only about half of the meandering border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan has been delimited clearly, and most of that is high in the mountains, where territory is less precious.

The Economist

The Indus Water Treaty of 1960 fixed and delimited the rights and obligations of both countries concerning the use of waters of the Indus River system.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And if the role of government in daily life had been delimited, that of commerce had been expanded.

Encyclopedia Britannica

During Rama VII's reign (1925 35) municipal areas were delimited as part of a general administrative reorganization aimed at decentralization.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1869 the frontiers of Basutoland were delimited, and shortly thereafter it was handed over to the Cape.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the same year, the British delimited a Royal Proclamation Line that created an Indian reservation in the trans-Appalachian west and prohibited colonial expansion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Most families of Malvales as delimited in APG II have been considered more or less related, although Neuradaceae has often been linked with Rosaceae and Thymelaeaceae with Myrtales or Euphorbiaceae (Malpighiales in APG II).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the establishment of borders or boundaries, use "delimited" to convey a sense of precision and formal agreement.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "delimited" with "delineated". While similar, "delimited" often implies a formal agreement or legal establishment of boundaries, while "delineated" focuses more on the act of drawing or outlining those boundaries.

Linguistic Context

The term "delimited" functions as a past participle or adjective, often used to describe something that has had its boundaries or limits clearly established. Ludwig examples show its usage in contexts ranging from geographical borders to conceptual boundaries.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

37%

Science

35%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "delimited" is a grammatically sound term indicating that something has clear, established boundaries or limits. Ludwig's AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts, from legal to philosophical, reinforcing its function in specifying and clarifying scope. The term is most commonly encountered in encyclopedic, scientific, and news sources, reflecting a formal register. When aiming for precision in your writing, especially when describing the establishment of borders or jurisdictions, "delimited" offers a robust and specific choice. Remember to distinguish it from "delineated", which focuses more on the act of drawing boundaries.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

defined

Focuses on clearly stating the boundaries or meaning of something, slightly more general.

bounded

Emphasizes the existence of a limit or boundary, often physical or spatial.

circumscribed

Highlights the action of restricting or confining something within specific limits.

marked out

Implies a clear and visible distinction or separation.

delineated

Similar to "delimited" but often used in the context of drawing lines or boundaries, slightly more formal.

set apart

Indicates the act of distinguishing something from others, often with a unique characteristic.

confined

Stresses the restriction of something to a specific area or scope.

limited

A more basic term indicating a restriction in quantity, extent, or scope.

restricted

Similar to 'limited' but implies a more formal or enforced constraint.

separated

Emphasizes the act of keeping things distinct and not allowing them to mix or overlap.

FAQs

How is "delimited" used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "delimited" often refers to formally defined boundaries or jurisdictions, such as "delimited territories" or "delimited powers", established by treaties or laws.

What's the difference between "delimited" and "defined"?

"Delimited" emphasizes the establishment of boundaries, while "defined" focuses on clarifying the meaning or scope of something. For example, a territory can be "delimited" by a treaty, while a concept is "defined" in a dictionary.

Can you provide an example of using "delimited" in a sentence?

A sentence example is: "The treaty "delimited" the boundaries between the two nations, resolving a long-standing dispute."

What are some synonyms for "delimited" that I can use in my writing?

Alternatives to "delimited" include "bounded", "circumscribed", and "delineated". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.