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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Boundary Definition, Examples & Usage (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：dividing line (boundary)

boundary 🔊

/ˈbaʊndəri/

A real, visible line that separates one area of land from another.

dividing line 🔊

➕

/dɪˈvaɪdɪŋ laɪn/

A physical line or mark that shows the limit of an area, such as a fence, river, or road.

📁 Category：Natural Geography 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Bound (limit) + -ary (pertaining to) -> something that marks a limit.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'bound' (jump) but also 'bound' as in 'boundary' - a line you cannot cross without a limit.

📖 Example

A white picket fence marks the boundary between my garden and my neighbor's. 🔊 The white picket fence serves as the dividing line between my garden and that of my neighbor.

🔗 Collocations

boundary line – a line that separates two areas

boundary dispute – a disagreement over the location of a border

set boundaries – to establish limits

🔄 Synonyms

border (n.) – the edge or boundary of an area

frontier (n.) – the border between two countries or regions

limit (n.) – a point beyond which something cannot go

🚫 Antonyms

center (n.) – the middle point of an area

interior (n.) – the inside part

core (n.) – the central part

🌱 Derivatives

bound (v.) – to limit or set a boundary

bounded (adj.) – having a boundary

boundless (adj.) – without limits

📖 Cultural Story

Origin: Old French 'bodne' (limit) → Latin 'bunda' (boundary) and 'butta' (a land mark). Historically used in land division.

Meaning 2：personal limit (boundary)

boundary 🔊

/ˈbaʊndəri/

An invisible limit in relationships that defines what behavior you will accept from others to protect yourself.

personal limit 🔊

➕

/ˈpɜːrsənl ˈlɪmɪt/

An invisible limit in relationships that defines acceptable behavior from others to protect oneself.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

It's important to set clear boundaries with friends, like not lending money if it makes you uncomfortable. 🔊 It is important to establish clear personal limits with friends, such as not lending money if it makes you uncomfortable.

🔗 Collocations

set boundaries – to define personal limits in relationships

respect boundaries – to honor the limits set by others

cross a boundary – to violate someone's personal limit

🔄 Synonyms

limit (n.) – a point beyond which something is not acceptable

threshold (n.) – the level at which something starts to happen

restriction (n.) – a rule or limit that controls what you are allowed to do

🚫 Antonyms

freedom (n.) – the state of being able to do what you want without limits

openness (n.) – the quality of having no limits or restrictions

permissiveness (n.) – the attitude of allowing anything without limits

🌱 Derivatives

boundaried (adj.) – having clear personal limits

unbounded (adj.) – without limits or restrictions

boundaryless (adj.) – lacking boundaries