limitativo

Limitativo is an adjective used in several Romance languages, notably Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese, to describe something that imposes a limit or restriction. It derives from the Latin limitare, meaning to bound or set a boundary. In contemporary usage, limitativo generally refers to elements that narrow the scope of a statement, obligation, or possibility.

In law and contracts, limitativo describes clauses that constrain rights, duties, or liabilities. Examples include limitative clauses that cap damages, define the area of application, or specify the exact limits of a license or obligation. Such clauses are typically contrasted with expansive or open-ended provisions.

In linguistics and semantics, the term is used to categorize expressions that restrict the applicability of a proposition. This includes words or constructions that mean “only,” “solely,” or “exclusively,” which limit the domain to which a statement applies. Some grammars discuss limitative expressions as a way to analyze how language bounds truth-conditions or scope.

In logic and mathematics, the notion of a limitativo can describe conditions or quantifiers that bound a variable’s domain or restrict outcomes, such as propositions that hold only under specific constraints.

Usage notes: the term is common in discussions of law, linguistics, and logic, but its exact meaning can vary by jurisdiction and disciplinary context. It is often translated as “restrictive” or “limiting” in English, with domain-specific nuances.

See also: limit, limitation, restrictive clause, exclusive quantifier, contractual clause.