1.
limit; end; bound
A boundary or endpoint. Almost always used in the negative pattern 際限がない or 際限なく to mean "without limit" or "endlessly."
欲望には際限がない。
Desire has no limit.
際限なく食べ続けてしまう。
I end up eating endlessly.
この議論は際限がないから、そろそろ結論を出しましょう。
This debate has no end, so let's reach a conclusion soon.
Compound of 際 (edge/boundary) + 限 (limit). Overwhelmingly used in the negative.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 際限がない (there is no limit; limitless)
- 際限なく (without limit; endlessly)
- 際限のない (limitless; unbounded)
USAGE NOTE:
Rarely if ever used in the affirmative. You would not normally say 際限がある. Instead, this word's function is almost entirely as part of the negative pattern expressing limitlessness. Similar to how the English word "cessation" mainly appears in the phrase "without cessation."