Demarcated

Demarcated is an adjective or the past participle of the verb demarcate, describing something that has been marked off or clearly defined with boundaries. The term derives from demarcate, which comes from Latin demarcatus via French demarquer, meaning to mark off or separate.

In geography and land administration, a demarcated boundary is one that has been physically defined and established by markers, surveys, or legal instruments. Demarcation is the process by which borders or property lines are set and recognized by authorities and communities. In maps and planning documents, demarcated zones help allocate jurisdiction, manage land use, and resolve disputes.

In daily use, demarcated can describe anything with clear, well-defined limits. For example, a demarcated region of a park might separate safe and restricted areas. In medicine, a lesion or anatomical feature can be described as demarcated when it has distinct, well-circumscribed margins.

The term is often contrasted with undemarcated or ill-defined, which describe areas or boundaries lacking clear limits. Demarcation practices can involve surveying, legal records, fencing, signage, or natural features such as rivers that define boundaries.

Common related terms include demarcation, delineation, boundary, and perimeter. While demarcation emphasizes the act of marking, demarcated describes the resulting state of having defined boundaries, whether physical, legal, or conceptual.