Scope & Boundaries Vocabulary

the extent of the area or subject matter that something deals with

“What is the scope of this analysis?”

Origin: Greek skopos `target, aim` (from skeptesthai `to look`)

a limitation or restriction on what can be done

“Time and budget are our main constraints.”

Origin: Old French constraindre `to constrain` (from Latin constringere `to bind together`)

a limit or boundary that defines the scope of something

“Work within these parameters to ensure consistency.”

Origin: Greek para `beside` + metron `measure`

a line that marks the limits of an area; a dividing line

“We need clear boundaries between what's included and excluded.”

Origin: Old French bodne `boundary` (from Medieval Latin bodina)

a restriction or constraint; a shortcoming

“Acknowledge the limitations of this approach.”

Origin: Latin limitatio `a bounding` (from limes `boundary, limit`)

the area covered or the degree to which something applies

“To what extent does this apply to our situation?”

Origin: Latin extentus `stretched out` (from extendere `to extend`)

the scope of the influence or concerns of something

“That decision falls outside my purview.”

Origin: Anglo-Norman purveu `foreseen, provided` (from Latin providere `to foresee`)

the scope, extent, or bounds of something

“The investigation's ambit expanded beyond initial expectations.”

Origin: Latin ambitus `circuit, going around` (from ambire `to go around`)

to restrict or limit within boundaries

“The project scope was carefully circumscribed to prevent overreach.”

Origin: Latin circumscribere `to draw a line around` (from circum `around` + scribere `to write`)

to determine the limits or boundaries of

“Delimit the problem space before proposing solutions.”

Origin: Latin de- `completely` + limitare `to bound` (from limes `boundary`)

to set the boundaries or limits of

“Demarcate responsibilities clearly among team members.”

Origin: Spanish demarcar (from de- `completely` + marcar `to mark`)

to keep or restrict within certain limits

“Confine your response to the specific question asked.”

Origin: Latin confinis `bordering` (from con- `together` + finis `boundary`)

the point at which something begins or changes

“What's the threshold for escalating this issue?”

Origin: Old English þrescold `doorway, entrance` (origin uncertain, possibly related to thresh)

having limits or bounds; not infinite

“We have finite resources, so prioritization is key.”

Origin: Latin finitus `limited, bounded` (from finire `to finish, limit`)

limited or restricted in extent or scope

“The search should be bounded by date range.”

Origin: Old French bonde `boundary` + English -ed suffix

a specified sphere of activity or knowledge

“This falls within the domain of compliance.”

Origin: French domaine (from Latin dominium `property, ownership` from dominus `lord`)

the official power to make decisions; sphere of authority

“That's not within my jurisdiction to decide.”

Origin: Latin jurisdictio `administration of justice` (from jus `law` + dictio `saying`)

the task or area of activity officially assigned

“Expanding services is outside our current remit.”

Origin: Latin remittere `to send back, relax` (from re- `back` + mittere `to send`)