limit verb ⇨limit (limit your calorie intake)⇨confine sb/sth to sth (Families are limited to four tickets each.)limit noun ⇨limit1 (a speed/time/age limit)⇨limit2 (a limit to what we can do)⇨edge (the city limits)limit1
noun
a speed/time/age limit速度/时间/年龄限制a limit to what we can do我们做事能力的限度limit ♦︎ restriction ♦︎ control ♦︎ constraint ♦︎ restraint ♦︎ limitation ♦︎ ceiling ♦︎ curb ♦︎ checkThese are all words for sth that limits what you can do or what can happen.这些词均表示限制、限定、制约。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆limits / restrictions / controls / constraints / restraints / limitations / a ceiling / curbs / checks on sth◆limits / limitations / checks to sth◆without limits / restrictions / controls / constraints / restraints / limitations / checks◆severe limits / restrictions / controls / constraints / restraints / limitations / checks◆tight limits / restrictions / controls / constraints◆effective limits / restrictions / controls / constraints / restraints◆an artificial limit / restriction / constraint◆to impose limits / restrictions / controls / constraints / restraints / limitations / a ceiling / curbs / checks◆to place limits / restrictions / controls / constraints / restraints / limitations / a ceiling / checks◆to introduce limits / restrictions / controls / constraints / limitations / curbs / checks◆to remove / accept limits / restrictions / controls / constraints / restraints / limitations◆to lift restrictions / controls / constraints / restraints / the ceiling◆to tighten / relax restrictions / controls / constraints◆to act as a control / constraint / restraint / limitation / ceiling / curb / check■limit [countable] the greatest or smallest amount of sth that is allowed极限;限量;限额◆The EU has set strict limits on pollution levels.欧盟对污染程度定下了严格的限制。◆He admitted that he had broken the speed limit.他承认超速驾驶。◆You can't drive-you're over the limit(= you have drunk more alcohol than is legal when driving).你饮酒过量,不能驾车。◆It is our job to keep government spending within acceptable limits.我们的职责是使政府的开支保持在可接受的限额内。 see also limit ⇨ confine sb/sth to sthphrasal verb■restriction [countable] (ratherformal) a rule or law that limits what you can do限制规定;限制法规◆Speed restrictions are in operation on the M4 due to poor visibility.由于能见度低,M4高速公路正在实施限速。◆The government has agreed to lift restrictions on press freedom.政府已经同意取消对新闻自由的限制。◆There are no restrictions on the amount of money you can withdraw.取款没有限额。 see also restrict ⇨ confine sb/sth to sthphrasal verb■control [uncountable, countable] (often in compounds常构成复合词) the act of limiting or managing sth; a method of doing this限制;管制;约束◆traffic control交通管制◆talks on arms control军备控制谈判◆A new advance has been made in the control of malaria.在控制疟疾方面已取得新的进展。◆government controls on trade and industry政府对工商业的管理◆Price controls on food were ended.对食品价格的控制已告结束。◆A pest control officer was called in to deal with the rat problem.一名虫害防治员被请来应对鼠害问题。■constraint [countable] (ratherformal) a fact or decision that limits what you can do限制;限定;约束◆We have to work within severe constraints of time and money.我们不得不在时间紧迫、资金紧缺的限制下工作。◆This decision will impose serious financial constraints on all schools.这项决定将使所有学校受到严格的财务限制。 see also constrain ⇨ confine sb/sth to sthphrasal verb■restraint [countable, usually plural, uncountable] (ratherformal) a decision, rule, idea, etc. that limits what you can do; the act of limiting sth because it is necessary or sensible to do so管制措施;制约因素;(必要或合理的)控制,限制◆The government has imposed export restraints on some products.政府对一些产品实行了出口限制。◆There are certain social restraints on drinking alcohol.在饮酒方面存在着某些社会制约因素。◆The unions are unlikely to accept any sort of wage restraint.这些工会不可能接受任何形式的工资限制。◆They said that they would fight without restraint(= completely freely) for what they wanted.他们说,为达目的,他们会无所顾忌地抗争到底。■limitation [uncountable, countable] the act or process of limiting sth; a rule, fact or condition that limits sth限制;控制;限制措施;制约条件◆They would resist any limitation of their powers.他们会抵制对他们权力的任何限制。◆Disability is a physical limitation on your life.残疾在生理上限制了你的生活。◆There should be no limitations to progress in the talks.谈判的进展情况不应受到任何制约。NOTE辨析 Restriction, constraint, restraint or limitation?These are all things that limit what you can do. A restriction is rule or law that is made by sb in authority. A constraint is sth that exists rather than sth that is made, although it may exist as a result of sb's decision. A restraint is also sth that exists: it can exist outside yourself, as the result of sb else's decision; but it can also exist inside you, as a fear of what other people may think or as your own feeling about what is acceptable.这些词均表示限制,其中restriction指权威人士制定的规定或法规;constraint指现存的限制或约束而非作出的规定,尽管这种约束也可能是因他人的决定而存在;restraint也指现存的限制或制约因素,既可能指自身之外的因素,如他人的决定;也可能指自身因素,如担心别人的想法或顾虑自己的做法能否被接受◆moral / social / cultural / conventional restraints道德/社会/文化/习俗的制约因素A limitation is more general and can be a rule that sb makes or a fact or condition that exists. * limitation使用比较普遍,可指某人作出的限制规定,也可指现存的制约因素或条件。■ceiling [countable] the highest limit on sth such as prices or wages(价格、工资等的)最高限度,上限,最大限量◆They have put a ceiling on the price of fuel.他们规定了燃料价格的上限。◆The government has decided to lift price ceilings on bread and milk.政府已决定取消对面包和牛奶的最高限价。■curbkɜːb; NAmEkɜːrb [countable] a rule or action that limits the level, amount or degree of sth(对水平、数量或程度)起限制作用的规定(或行为)◆We are in favour of strict curbs on government spending.我们赞成对政府开支采取严格限制措施。◆Counselling acted as a curb on his violent behaviour.心理咨询对他的暴力行为起到了抑制作用。■check [countable] (ratherformal) something that slows down the progress of sth else or stops it from getting worse阻碍进程的事物;防止恶化的事物◆A cold spring will provide a natural check on the number of insects.寒冷的春季会自然控制昆虫的数量。◆The House of Commons became the most fundamental check to the power of the British monarchy.下议院对英国君主的权力起到了最根本的制衡作用。limit2
noun
a speed/time/age limit速度/时间/年龄限制a limit to what we can do我们做事能力的限度limit ♦︎ line ♦︎ boundary ♦︎ parameter ♦︎ bounds ♦︎ frontier ♦︎ confines ♦︎ borderlineThese are all words for the edge of an area of thought, behaviour or possibility, or the division between one area of thought, etc. and another.这些词均表示思想、行为或可能性的限度、界限或分界线。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆the line / boundary / borderline between sth and sth else◆beyond the limits / boundaries / parameters / bounds / frontiers / confines of sth◆within the limits / boundaries / parameters / bounds / confines of sth◆outside the limits / parameters / bounds / confines of sth◆at the limits / boundaries / frontiers / borderline of sth◆on the boundary / borderline between / of sth◆to extend the limits / boundaries / parameters / bounds / frontiers of sth◆to set / define / establish the limits / boundaries / parameters / bounds of sth◆to cross the boundary / borderline between / of sth■limit [countable] the point at which sth stops being possible or existing限度;极限◆There is a limit to the amount of pain we can bear.我们能忍受的疼痛是有限度的。◆There is no limit to what we can achieve.我们可实现的目标是没有极限的。◆Our finances have been stretched to the limit.我们的财力已经消耗殆尽。◆She pushed me to the limit of my abilities.她把我推到了能力的极限。◆She knew the limits of her power.她知道自己的权限。■line [countable] the division between one area of thought or behaviour and another(思想或行为的)界限,分界线◆We want to cut across lines of race, sex and religion.我们想超越种族、性别和宗教的界限。◆There is a fine line between showing interest in what someone is doing and interfering in it.关心别人正在做的事情和插手其中之间存在着细微的差别。◆There is no clear dividing line between what is good and what is bad.好事与坏事之间没有明显的分界线。■boundary baʊndri [countable] something that marks the limits or edges of one area of thought or behaviour and/or separates it from another(思想或行为的)边界,界限,分界线◆It is up to the teacher to set the boundary between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.划清可为与不可为之间的界限是老师的职责。◆Scientists continue to push back the boundaries of human knowledge.科学家不断扩大人类知识的范围。NOTE辨析 Line or boundary?A line between two areas of thought or behaviour is sth that exists and often needs to be judged carefully. A boundary does not just exist: it has to be decided by sb. * line指两种思想或行为之间现存的、而且经常需要仔细判断的界限;boundary不仅是现存的,而且是必须由某人来规定的界限◆no clear dividing boundary◆a fine boundary between◆It is up to the teacher to set the line...Boundary often directs your attention to what lies within the boundaries, which mark the edge of what you are considering: you can push back/extend the boundaries of sth but not◆push back/extend the lines * boundary常把人的注意力引向界限内的东西,这就限定了考虑的范围。可以说push back/extend the boundaries of sth,但不说push back/extend the lines。■parameter pəˈræmɪtə(r) [countable, usually plural] (formal) something that marks the limits of what you are considering or how sth can be done规范;范围◆We need to define the parameters of this debate.我们需要为这次辩论设定规范。◆We had to work within the parameters that had already been established.我们必须在设定的范围内工作。■bounds baʊndz [plural] (ratherformal) the accepted or furthest limits of sth限制范围;极限◆Public spending must be kept within reasonable bounds.公共开支必须控制在合理的范围内。◆It was not beyond the bounds of possibility that they would meet again one day.他们有一天会再度相遇,这不是没有可能。◆His enthusiasm knew no bounds(= was very great).他的热情无比高涨。■frontierˈfrʌntɪə(r); NAmEfrʌnˈtɪr [countable, usually plural] the limits of what is known about sth or what sb/sth can do学科的尖端;权力的边缘◆This research programme aims to push back the frontiers of science.本科研项目力争开拓科学前沿。■confinesˈkɒnfaɪnz; NAmEˈkɑːnfaɪnz [plural] (formal) a limited amount of space within walls or other barriers; the limits of what is known, allowed or possible in a situation(墙壁等围成的)范围;界限;边界◆He spent three years within the narrow confines of the prison.他在狭小的监狱里度过了三年时间。◆She wanted to experience things outside the close confines of family life.她想体验一些超出家庭小圈子的事情。 see also confine sb/sth to sth ⇨ confine sb/sth to sthNOTE辨析 Frontiers or confines?Confines emphasizes how little space, knowledge etc. there is; frontiers emphasizes how much knowledge there is and how it is increasing. * confines强调空间或知识等范围的狭窄,frontier强调知识的多少以及如何增长。■borderline [countable] the division between two qualities or conditions(两种特质或状况之间的)分界线◆The biography sometimes crosses the borderline between fact and fiction.这部传记有时混淆了事实与虚构的分界线。 see also borderline ⇨ vagueadj.limit
verb
➡ See also the entry for confine sb/sth to sth另见confine sb/sth to sth条limit ♦︎ control ♦︎ restrict ♦︎ curb ♦︎ contain ♦︎ check ♦︎ cap ♦︎ rein sth in ♦︎ suppress ♦︎ hold/keep sth in checkThese words all mean to stop sth increasing beyond a particular amount or level, from spreading or from getting worse.这些词均表示限制、抑制。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆to be limited / restricted to sth◆to limit / control / restrict / curb / check / cap / rein in spending◆to limit / control / restrict / curb / check growth◆to limit / control / curb / contain / check inflation◆to keep spending / inflation / growth in check◆to limit / control / restrict / curb / cap expenditure◆to limit / control / curb / contain / check the spread of sth◆to limit / control / check the expansion of sth◆to limit / control / restrict the size / number / extent / amount of sth◆to limit / control / restrict / curb / check your speed◆to drastically / greatly / severely limit / restrict / curb sth■limit [transitive] to stop sth from increasing beyond a particular amount or level限制;限定◆Calorie intake is strictly limited to 1 000 a day.热量的摄入严格限定在每天1 000大卡。◆The amount of money you have to spend will limit your choice.你要消费的金额限制着你的选择。◆They introduced measures to limit carbon dioxide emissions from cars.他们采取了措施限制汽车二氧化碳的排放。◆There is no evidence that the restrictions have limited the effectiveness of the advertising.没有证据表明这些规定制约了广告的效果。■control(-ll-) [transitive] to limit sth or make it happen in a particular way控制;限制;限定◆The government has announced new measures to control immigration.政府已宣布了限制外来移民的新措施。◆Many biological processes are controlled by hormones.许多生理过程都是由激素控制的。◆Parents should control what their kids watch on television.家长应该限定孩子看什么样的电视节目。■restrict [transitive] to limit the size, amount or range of sth限制,限定(规模、数量或范围)◆We restrict the number of students per class to ten.我们把每个班的学生人数限定为十人。◆They tried to control traffic congestion by restricting entry to the city.他们试图通过限定进城车辆的数量来防止交通拥堵。◆Fog severely restricted visibility.浓雾严重影响了能见度。◆There have been several attempts to restrict the sale of alcohol.曾做过几次限制酒精饮料销售的尝试。NOTE辨析 Limit or restrict?In many cases you can use either word; however, restrict is used more often to talk about limiting what people can do; limit is used both for limiting what people can do and for controlling the effects of sth.在许多情况下这两个词可以通用,但restrict更多指限定人的行为,limit既可指限定人的行为,也可指控制某事的效果◆to restrict carbon dioxide emissions from cars◆to restrict the effectiveness of advertising■curb[transitive] to control or limit sth, especially sth bad控制,抑制,约束(有害事物)◆A range of policies have been introduced aimed at curbing inflation.为了抑制通货膨胀已实施了一系列的政策。◆This legislation will greatly curb the power of local authorities.这次立法将大大限制地方当局的权力。■contain [transitive] (written) to stop sth harmful from spreading or getting worse防止⋯蔓延;防止⋯恶化◆Far more could have been done to contain the epidemic.本可以做更多事情来防止此次流行病的蔓延。◆He introduced repressive measures to contain the violence.他采取了一些遏止暴力行为的镇压措施。■check [transitive] to stop sth bad from continuing控制,抑制,阻止(有害事物)◆The government is determined to check the growth of public spending.政府决心要控制公共开支的增长。◆She tied some strips of cloth around the wound to check the bleeding.她在伤口上缠了些布条来止血。NOTE辨析 Curb, contain or check?To contain a problem is to stop it from getting worse or spreading over a larger area, but without actually getting rid of it from the areas where it already exists; to curb sth is to reduce it to a lower level; to check sth is to stop it altogether. * contain指防止问题恶化或蔓延,但并不能将其根除;curb指降低严重程度;check则指完全控制住。■cap(-pp-) [transitive, usually passive] (especially BrE) to limit the amount of money that can be charged for sth or spent on sth限额收取(或支出)◆We will continue to cap local government spending where necessary.必要时我们将继续限制地方政府的开支额度。◆The total annual fee is capped at 1.5 per cent.年费总额限定在1.5%。■ˌrein sth ˈinto start to control sth strictly, especially after it has been increasing too quickly(尤指增速过快后)严格控制,加强管理◆This is part of a battle to rein in public spending on health.此举是严控公共医疗开支这一艰巨工作的一环。◆If the situation continues, she may not be able to rein in the military much longer.如果这种局面继续下去,她对军队的控制力也许就维持不了多久了。■suppress səˈpres [transitive] (written) to stop sth from growing, developing or continuing, especially a natural process or function压制,阻止,抑制(自然过程或功能)◆Slimming drugs do help to suppress appetite.减肥药确实能够抑制食欲。◆A 5 cm layer will suppress weed growth.一层5厘米厚的覆盖物就能抑制杂草的生长。OPPstimulate ⇨ stimulate■hold sth in ˈcheck■keep sth in ˈcheck
idiom
(held, held; kept, kept)to control sth that could be a problem, so that it does not spread or get worse控制,制止(以免蔓延或恶化)◆They want interest rates kept in check.他们希望利率控制在合理范围之内。◆We need to keep the rabbit population in check.我们需要控制兔子的数量。