Perimeters

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The outer limits that encompass a particular area, representing the distance around an object or shape; The calculated length surrounding a surface, important in geometry and spatial analysis; The established edges that determine the scope and boundaries of a defined space or region
2. The continuous line that marks the outer edge of a surface or region, defining its spatial limit
3. A measure of the total length of the border enclosing a two-dimensional figure or territory

Etymology: Greek writers formed this term from two everyday parts: "peri", meaning around, and "metron", a measure. A perimeter was literally the measure around a shape. The same "metron" lies behind "meter", "thermometer" and "barometer", so the word belongs to a large family of measuring words. It reached English through Latin and French, keeping the sense of a distance taken all the way round an outline. "Perimeters" is simply the plural, counting several such outlines at once.

Synonyms: boundaries, limits