Pronunciation: [sˈɪti lˈɪmɪts] (IPA) 
The spelling of the phrase "city limits" can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription. "City" is spelled /ˈsɪti/, with the stressed syllable being the first one. The "l" sound in "limits" is pronounced with the tongue touching the alveolar ridge, and the second syllable is stressed. The final "s" in "limits" is pronounced with a voiceless sound /s/. In combination, the phrase "city limits" is pronounced as /ˈsɪti ˈlɪmɪts/.
City limits refers to the legal boundary that outlines the geographical area of a particular municipality or city. It demarcates the limits or borders of a city, separating it from neighboring jurisdictions and marking the extent of its jurisdictional authority. City limits can be defined and established by a variety of means, including legislation, official declarations, or land use planning processes.
The primary purpose of city limits is to determine the area within which the city government exercises its powers, responsibilities, and services. This includes maintaining public infrastructure, providing municipal services, enforcing regulations, and collecting taxes. Within the city limits, the city government has the authority to make decisions and implement policies that apply to its residents and businesses.
City limits are typically identified through physical markers such as signs or landmarks that are placed at specific locations along the boundaries. These markers may have the city's name or emblem, serving as a visual indication that one has entered or is leaving the city. They play an important role in establishing the identity and pride associated with a particular city, allowing residents and visitors to easily recognize the start or end of its jurisdiction.
City limits can change over time due to annexation, incorporation, or boundary adjustments. In some cases, the limits may expand as urban development extends into previously unincorporated areas surrounding the city, while other times, they may shrink due to land being transferred to neighboring municipalities.
The term "city limits" originated from the Old French word "citæ" or "cité", which in turn was derived from the Latin word "civitas". "Civitas" referred to a community or a state with certain rights, including the right to self-governance. Over time, this Latin word evolved and was adapted into different languages. "Cité" entered the English language through Norman French, and eventually, "city" became the term for an urban settlement with legal and administrative rights. "Limits", on the other hand, refers to the boundaries or borders of a particular area. Thus, the term "city limits" came to signify the legal boundaries of a city or the territorial extent within which a city exercises authority and offers services to its residents.
