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B1 noun 9 min read

کرانه

karaneh
Examples Notes & Tips کرانه in 30 Seconds
Explanation کرانه in your Level:
At the A1 level, you can think of 'Karane' (کرانه) simply as the word for the 'edge' of water. Imagine you are drawing a picture of a blue sea and a brown land. The line where they meet is the 'Karane'. It is like the word 'shore' in English. You might not use this word every day because 'Sahel' (beach) is easier, but you should know it means 'the place where the water ends'. For example, 'The water is at the shore' (آب در کرانه است). It is a noun. It helps you talk about nature and the sea.
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At the A2 level, you start to see 'Karane' used in more specific ways. You might hear it in news about different countries. It is often used to describe the banks of a river or the coast of a sea. You should learn the phrase 'Karane-ye Darya' (the sea shore). You will also learn that 'Karane' is more formal than 'Lab-e Darya' (the lip of the sea). If you are reading a simple story about a fisherman, he might live 'dar karane-ye darya' (on the shore of the sea). It is an important word for describing where things are located in nature.
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At the B1 level, 'Karane' becomes a key word for understanding geography and politics. You must know 'Karane-ye Bakhtari', which is the Persian name for the West Bank. This is very common in news and history. You also start to use the adjective 'Bi-karane' (بی‌کرانه), which means 'without a shore' or 'limitless'. This is used to describe the sky or very deep feelings. You should understand that 'Karane' is a more professional and descriptive word than 'Sahel'. It is used when discussing the environment, maps, and formal descriptions of land.
At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 'Karane' in both literal and metaphorical contexts. You can use it to describe the 'bounds' or 'limits' of a project or a thought. You will notice it in more complex literature and academic texts. For example, 'The bounds of science' (کرانه‌های علم). You should also be able to distinguish between 'Karane' and 'Kenare' (side) accurately. 'Karane' implies a vastness that 'Kenare' does not. In writing, using 'Karane' instead of 'Sahel' can give your text a more serious or poetic tone, which is expected at this level.
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At the C1 level, you explore the deep literary and philosophical roots of 'Karane'. In classical Persian poetry (like Hafez or Rumi), 'Karane' often represents the boundary between the material world and the spiritual world. The 'shoreless sea' (daryaye bi-karane) is a common metaphor for the divine or for absolute love. You should be able to analyze how the word functions in complex sentence structures and recognize its use in technical fields like mathematics (referring to upper and lower bounds). Your vocabulary should include various compound words and idioms involving 'Karane'.
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At the C2 level, 'Karane' is a word you use with total precision and stylistic flair. You understand its etymology from Middle Persian and its relationship to other Indo-European words for 'corner' or 'edge'. You can use it to discuss geopolitical strategies regarding 'coastal management' (مدیریت کرانه‌ای) or in high-level philosophical discourse about the 'limits of human cognition'. You are sensitive to the rhythmic qualities of the word in poetry and can use it to create specific atmospheres in your own creative writing. It is no longer just a 'shore'; it is a concept of boundaries and infinity.
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Examples Notes & Tips

کرانه in 30 Seconds

  • Karane primarily means 'shore' or 'bank' of a body of water.
  • It is a formal word used in geography, news, and poetry.
  • The term 'Karane-ye Bakhtari' refers to the West Bank in politics.
  • The adjective 'Bi-karane' means boundless or infinite, often describing the sky.

The Persian word کرانه (pronounced karāne) is a multifaceted noun primarily referring to the physical boundary where a body of water meets the land. While it is often translated as 'shore', 'bank', or 'coast', its usage in Persian carries a slightly more formal and sometimes poetic weight compared to the more common word ساحل (sāhel). Understanding کرانه requires looking at it through three distinct lenses: the geographical, the political, and the literary. Geographically, it describes the edge of seas, rivers, and lakes. Politically, it is most famously recognized in the term کرانه باختری (Karāne-ye Bakhtari), referring to the West Bank. Literarily, it evokes the concept of horizons and the limits of human perception, often used by classical poets to describe the vastness of the ocean or the 'shoreless' nature of divine love.

Physical Geography
In a literal sense, it is the strip of land alongside any large body of water. When a Persian speaker stands by the Caspian Sea and looks at the sand meeting the waves, they might refer to that line as the کرانه دریا. It implies a boundary or a limit.

کشتی‌های ماهیگیری در کرانه دریای خزر لنگر انداخته بودند.

Translation: The fishing boats were anchored at the shore of the Caspian Sea.

The word is also deeply embedded in the concept of 'infinity'. By adding the prefix بی- (bi-), meaning 'without', we get بی‌کرانه (bi-karāne), which means 'boundless' or 'limitless'. This is frequently used to describe the sky, the sea, or abstract concepts like knowledge and mercy. In everyday conversation, you might not use کرانه to tell a friend you're going to the beach for a swim (you'd use ساحل or لب دریا), but you would certainly encounter it in a news report about coastal erosion or a documentary about the Persian Gulf's ecology.

Political Context
In modern geopolitical discourse, کرانه is the standard term for the 'Bank' of a river in names of territories. The West Bank is always referred to as کرانه باختری رود اردن.

اخبار امروز درباره تحولات در کرانه باختری بود.

Translation: Today's news was about the developments in the West Bank.
Literary Usage
Classical Persian poetry uses کرانه to signify the ultimate limit of human understanding. Hafez often speaks of the 'shore' of the ocean of love, suggesting that one cannot reach the end of such a vast emotional experience.

عشق دریایی است بی‌کرانه.

Translation: Love is a shoreless sea.

In summary, کرانه is a word that moves from the physical grit of the riverbank to the abstract heights of the infinite sky. It is a vital word for anyone wishing to read Persian news, enjoy classical poetry, or describe the majestic landscapes of Iran from the Aras River in the north to the Makran coast in the south.

Using کرانه correctly involves recognizing the scale of the landscape you are describing. While you can technically use it for a small pond, it is much more commonly applied to seas, oceans, and large rivers. It often appears in the Ezafe construction (linking two words with an 'e' sound) to specify which body of water is being discussed. For example, کرانه رود (the bank of the river) or کرانه‌های خلیج فارس (the shores of the Persian Gulf).

Describing Location
You use کرانه when you want to emphasize the position of something relative to the water's edge. It is frequently found in travel writing and environmental reports.

روستاهای زیادی در کرانه این رودخانه بزرگ واقع شده‌اند.

Translation: Many villages are located on the bank of this large river.

Another common usage is in the plural form, کرانه‌ها (karāne-hā), to describe long stretches of coastline. This is particularly useful when discussing the diverse ecosystems found along Iran's northern and southern borders. When talking about the 'shores of the world', the phrase کرانه‌های گیتی is used in highly formal or poetic contexts.

Metaphorical Limits
In philosophical discussions, کرانه represents the boundary of human experience or thought. To say something has no کرانه is to say it is absolute and infinite.

تخیل انسان هیچ کرانه‌ای نمی‌شناسد.

Translation: Human imagination knows no bounds.
Adjectival Form
The adjective بی‌کران (bi-karān) or بی‌کرانه (bi-karāne) is extremely popular in Persian songs and romantic literature to describe eyes, the sky, or a person's kindness.

آسمان بی‌کرانه شب پر از ستاره بود.

Translation: The boundless night sky was full of stars.

Finally, in technical or academic Persian, you might encounter کرانه in mathematics or physics to mean 'bound' or 'limit' (as in upper bound and lower bound), though حد (hadd) is also used. For a B1 learner, mastering the geographical and political uses is the priority, while recognizing the poetic 'boundless' form will greatly enhance your comprehension of Persian culture.

While کرانه might seem like a word reserved for textbooks, it is actually quite prevalent in specific daily contexts. If you turn on a Persian news channel like BBC Persian or Iran International, you will hear کرانه almost every time the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is mentioned. It is the formal, standard term for 'The West Bank' (کرانه باختری). Hearing it in this context helps learners associate the word with a physical territory defined by a river (the Jordan River).

Television and News
Broadcasters use it to describe coastal regions during weather reports or environmental segments. For instance, 'The southern shores of Iran' is typically rendered as کرانه‌های جنوبی ایران.

بارندگی شدید در کرانه‌های دریای خزر پیش‌بینی می‌شود.

Translation: Heavy rainfall is predicted on the shores of the Caspian Sea.

In the world of Persian music—from traditional classical music to modern pop—the word بی‌کران (bi-karān) is a staple. It is used to describe the depth of feelings. If you listen to singers like Homayoun Shajarian or even pop artists, you will frequently hear them singing about a 'boundless sea of sorrow' or 'boundless love'. This makes the word part of the emotional vocabulary of every Persian speaker.

Literature and Education
In Iranian schools, students learn about the کرانه‌های ارس (the banks of the Aras River) in history and geography classes. It is a word that signifies national borders and the grandeur of the Iranian plateau's natural limits.

او تمام عمرش را در کرانه رودخانه سپری کرد.

Translation: He spent his whole life on the bank of the river.

You will also encounter it in historical documentaries. When historians talk about ancient civilizations forming along the 'shores' of the Nile or the Tigris, they use کرانه. Therefore, while you might not use it to ask for the nearest beach at a hotel, you will hear it in any conversation that touches upon geography, politics, or deep emotions.

For English speakers learning Persian, the most common mistake is overusing کرانه when a simpler word like ساحل (sāhel) or لب (lab) is more appropriate. While کرانه is accurate, using it to say "Let's go to the beach!" sounds unnaturally formal, almost like saying "Let us journey to the maritime boundaries!" in English.

Confusing Karane with Sahel
Always remember: Sahel is the beach (sand, umbrellas, swimming). Karane is the shore (geographical edge, political boundary). If you are talking about a vacation, use Sahel.

Incorrect: بیا به کرانه برویم و شنا کنیم.

Correct: بیا به ساحل برویم و شنا کنیم.

Note: Use 'Sahel' for recreational beach activities.

Another mistake involves the word کناره (kenāre). While they look and sound similar, Kenāre is much more common for the 'side' of anything—a road, a room, or even a person's side. کرانه is specifically for large bodies of water or the horizon. Using کرانه for the side of a road (کنار جاده) is a significant lexical error.

Pluralization Errors
Learners sometimes try to pluralize it as 'Karanat' using Arabic rules. In Persian, the correct plural is کرانه‌ها (karāne-hā). In very formal literature, you might see اکناف (aknāf), but that is far beyond B1 level.

Incorrect: کرانات دریا زیبا هستند.

Correct: کرانه‌های دریا زیبا هستند.

Lastly, be careful with the word بی‌کران. While it means 'limitless', it is an adjective. You cannot use it as a noun to mean 'the infinite'. You must say دریای بی‌کران (the boundless sea) or عشق بی‌کران (boundless love). Misplacing the 'bi-' prefix is a common stumbling block for intermediate students.

Persian is rich with synonyms for 'edge' and 'shore', each with its own nuance. Understanding the difference between کرانه and its alternatives will make your Persian sound much more natural and sophisticated. The most frequent points of comparison are with ساحل, کناره, and لب.

Karane vs. Sahel
Sahel is the everyday word for 'beach' or 'coast'. It is what you see on a postcard. Karane is the 'shore' in a more geographical or poetic sense. You 'walk on the Sahel', but a country 'has long Karanes'.
Karane vs. Kenare
Kenare means 'side' or 'edge' in a general sense. You can sit at the kenare of a table, but never the karane of a table. Karane is reserved for large, vast boundaries.
Karane vs. Lab
Lab literally means 'lip'. In the context of water, lab-e darya (the lip of the sea) or lab-e rud (the lip of the river) is a very common, slightly more informal way to say 'at the very edge'. It is more intimate than کرانه.

ما در لب رودخانه نشستیم، در حالی که کشتی‌ها در کرانه دور دیده می‌شدند.

Translation: We sat at the edge (lip) of the river, while ships were seen on the distant shore.

When looking for alternatives for 'limit' or 'bound', you might consider مرز (marz - border) or حد (hadd - limit). Marz is usually for political borders between countries, while کرانه is specifically the border between land and water. If you want to describe something as 'infinite', نامحدود (nāmāhdud) is the literal translation, but بی‌کران is far more beautiful in a literary context.

In summary, choose کرانه when you want to sound precise, formal, or poetic. It is a word that commands respect for the scale of the landscape it describes. By mastering these distinctions, you move from a basic understanding of Persian to a more nuanced, B1-level command of the language.

Fun Fact

The word is a cognate with the English word 'corner' (via Latin 'cornu'), both sharing the ancient root for 'horn' or 'point/edge'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kæ.rɑː.ne/
US /kæ.rɑ.neɪ/
The stress is typically on the second syllable: ka-RA-ne.
Rhymes With
ترانه (tarāne - song) دانه (dāne - seed) خانه (khāne - house) شانه (shāne - shoulder/comb) زمانه (zamāne - era) بهانه (bahāne - excuse) جوانه (javāne - sprout) نشانه (neshāne - sign)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing it as 'Kerane' (like 'care'). It should be 'Ka-'.
  • Confusing it with 'Keraayeh' (rent).
  • Making the final 'e' sound like a long 'ee'.
  • Ignoring the 'n' and saying 'Karae'.
  • Over-stressing the first syllable.
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Examples by Level

1

آب به کرانه رسید.

The water reached the shore.

Simple subject + preposition + noun + verb.

2

من در کرانه هستم.

I am at the shore.

Use of 'dar' (in/at) with the noun.

3

کرانه دریا زیبا است.

The sea shore is beautiful.

Ezafe construction: Karane-ye Darya.

4

ماهی در کرانه بود.

The fish was at the shore.

Past tense of 'to be'.

5

این کرانه بزرگ است.

This shore is big.

Demonstrative 'in' (this) + noun + adjective.

6

او به کرانه نگاه کرد.

He looked at the shore.

Compound verb 'negah kardan' with 'be'.

7

کرانه رودخانه کجاست؟

Where is the river bank?

Interrogative 'kojas' (where is).

8

درخت در کرانه است.

The tree is on the shore.

Noun + prepositional phrase.

1

ما در کرانه دریا قدم زدیم.

We walked on the sea shore.

Compound verb 'qadam zadan' (to walk).

2

کشتی به کرانه نزدیک شد.

The ship approached the shore.

Verb 'nazdik shodan' (to become near).

3

کرانه‌های شمال ایران سرسبز هستند.

The shores of northern Iran are green.

Plural noun 'karane-ha'.

4

آن‌ها در کرانه رودخانه چادر زدند.

They pitched a tent on the river bank.

Compound verb 'chador zadan' (to camp).

5

صدای موج در کرانه می‌پیچید.

The sound of waves echoed on the shore.

Continuous present tense.

6

کرانه این دریاچه سنگی است.

The shore of this lake is rocky.

Adjective 'sangi' (rocky).

7

پرندگان در کرانه جمع شده‌اند.

Birds have gathered on the shore.

Present perfect tense.

8

او خانه‌ای در کرانه دارد.

He has a house on the shore.

Indefinite 'i' attached to 'khane'.

1

کرانه باختری منطقه‌ای مهم در خاورمیانه است.

The West Bank is an important region in the Middle East.

Proper noun usage in political context.

2

آسمان شب، دریایی بی‌کرانه از ستاره‌هاست.

The night sky is a boundless sea of stars.

Use of the adjective 'bi-karane'.

3

فرسایش خاک در کرانه‌های این رودخانه نگران‌کننده است.

Soil erosion on the banks of this river is worrying.

Complex subject with Ezafe.

4

او به افق بی‌کرانه خیره شده بود.

He was staring at the boundless horizon.

Past continuous tense.

5

گردشگران از کرانه‌های خلیج فارس دیدن کردند.

Tourists visited the shores of the Persian Gulf.

Compound verb 'didan kardan'.

6

این جاده در امتداد کرانه دریا ساخته شده است.

This road is built along the sea shore.

Prepositional phrase 'dar emtedad-e' (along).

7

حیات وحش در کرانه‌های این تالاب بسیار متنوع است.

Wildlife on the shores of this lagoon is very diverse.

Formal vocabulary like 'hayat-e vahsh'.

8

کشور ما کرانه‌های طولانی در جنوب دارد.

Our country has long shores in the south.

Adjective 'toulani' (long).

1

دانشمندان در حال مطالعه اکوسیستم‌های کرانه‌ای هستند.

Scientists are studying coastal ecosystems.

Adjectival form 'karane-i'.

2

عشق او به وطن، عشقی بی‌کران بود.

His love for his homeland was a boundless love.

Metaphorical use of 'bi-karan'.

3

تغییرات اقلیمی باعث بالا آمدن سطح آب در کرانه‌ها شده است.

Climate change has caused sea levels to rise on the shores.

Cause and effect structure.

4

او سعی کرد کرانه‌های دانش خود را گسترش دهد.

He tried to expand the bounds of his knowledge.

Abstract usage of 'karane-ha'.

5

این منطقه از کرانه رودخانه تا کوهپایه ادامه دارد.

This area extends from the river bank to the foothills.

Structure 'az... ta...' (from... to...).

6

قایق‌های نجات در تمام کرانه مستقر شده‌اند.

Rescue boats have been stationed all along the shore.

Passive construction.

7

محدوده این ملک تا کرانه دریا پیش می‌رود.

The boundary of this property extends to the sea shore.

Verb 'pish raftan' (to advance/extend).

8

او در اشعارش از کرانه‌های ناپیدای روح سخن می‌گوید.

In his poems, he speaks of the invisible shores of the soul.

Complex abstract Ezafe.

1

در فلسفه عرفانی، انسان به دنبال رسیدن به کرانه‌های حقیقت است.

In mystical philosophy, man seeks to reach the shores of truth.

Highly formal/philosophical register.

2

مدیریت یکپارچه مناطق کرانه‌ای برای توسعه پایدار ضروری است.

Integrated coastal zone management is essential for sustainable development.

Technical academic Persian.

3

شاعر با استفاده از واژه «بی‌کران»، وسعت غم خود را تصویر می‌کند.

The poet depicts the vastness of his grief by using the word 'boundless'.

Literary analysis vocabulary.

4

این نظریه، کرانه‌های جدیدی را در علم فیزیک گشوده است.

This theory has opened new horizons (shores) in physics.

Metaphorical 'opening of shores'.

5

اختلافات مرزی در کرانه‌های رودخانه ارس به تاریخ پیوست.

Border disputes on the banks of the Aras River became part of history.

Idiom 'be tarikh peyvast' (became history).

6

او در جستجوی کرانه‌ای آرام برای زندگی بود.

He was in search of a peaceful shore for life.

Indefinite noun used metaphorically.

7

تلاطم امواج، صخره‌های کرانه را فرسوده کرده است.

The turbulence of the waves has eroded the shore's rocks.

Advanced vocabulary: 'talatom', 'farsudeh'.

8

نگاه او به افق‌های بی‌کرانه، نشان از بلندپروازی‌اش داشت.

His gaze at the boundless horizons indicated his ambition.

Complex character description.

1

تطور تاریخی جوامع کرانه‌نشین، پیوند ناگسستنی با دریا دارد.

The historical evolution of coastal-dwelling societies is inextricably linked to the sea.

Compound noun 'karane-neshin'.

2

در این جستار، به بررسی تطبیقی کرانه‌های معنایی در متون کلاسیک می‌پردازیم.

In this essay, we conduct a comparative study of semantic boundaries in classical texts.

Academic research register.

3

هنر مدرن، کرانه‌های سنتی زیبایی‌شناسی را به چالش می‌کشد.

Modern art challenges the traditional boundaries of aesthetics.

Abstract metaphorical usage.

4

ژئوپلیتیک کرانه‌های خلیج فارس، نقشی تعیین‌کننده در سیاست جهانی دارد.

The geopolitics of the Persian Gulf shores plays a decisive role in global politics.

High-level political science terminology.

5

او با قلمی جادویی، کرانه‌های واقعیت و خیال را در هم می‌آمیزد.

With a magical pen, he blends the shores of reality and fantasy.

Literary criticism style.

6

کرانه‌های بالایی و پایینی متغیر در این معادله مشخص شده‌اند.

The upper and lower bounds of the variable are specified in this equation.

Mathematical technical usage.

7

فقدان کرانه‌ای مشخص برای این پروژه، باعث سردرگمی تیم شد.

The lack of a defined scope (shore) for this project caused team confusion.

Business management metaphor.

8

شعر حافظ، دریایی است که هر چه پیش‌تر روی، کرانه آن ناپیداتر می‌شود.

Hafez's poetry is a sea where the further you go, its shore becomes more invisible.

Sophisticated literary comparison.

Common Collocations

کرانه باختری
کرانه دریا
بی‌کران
کرانه رودخانه
کرانه‌های جنوبی
از کران تا کران
کرانه خلیج فارس
کرانه خاوری
حد و کرانه
کرانه‌های دور

Common Phrases

لب کرانه

— At the very edge of the shore.

قایق لب کرانه متوقف شد.

در امتداد کرانه

— Along the coastline.

ما در امتداد کرانه رانندگی کردیم.

کشورهای کرانه‌ای

— Coastal countries.

کشورهای کرانه‌ای خلیج فارس توافق کردند.

کرانه امن

— A safe haven or safe shore.

او بالاخره به کرانه امن زندگی رسید.

بی‌حد و کرانه

— Infinite and boundless.

محبت او بی‌حد و کرانه بود.

کرانه صخره‌ای

— A rocky shore.

کشتی در کرانه صخره‌ای غرق شد.

کرانه شنی

— A sandy shore.

بچه‌ها در کرانه شنی بازی می‌کردند.

رو به کرانه

— Facing the shore.

پنجره اتاق رو به کرانه بود.

دور از کرانه

— Far from the shore.

شنا کردن دور از کرانه خطرناک است.

کرانه افق

— The edge of the horizon.

خورشید در کرانه افق ناپدید شد.

Idioms & Expressions

"به کرانه رسیدن"

— To reach a conclusion or a safe state after difficulties.

پس از سال‌ها تلاش، پروژه‌اش به کرانه رسید.

Metaphorical
"بی‌کران بودن"

— To be extremely vast or infinite in quality.

بخشندگی او بی‌کران است.

Literary
"از کران تا کران"

— Everywhere; across the entire expanse.

آوازه او از کران تا کران پیچیده است.

Poetic
"سر به کرانه نهادن"

— To go towards the edge or to set out on a journey.

او سر به کرانه دریا نهاد.

Archaic/Poetic
"در کرانه نشستن"

— To stay on the sidelines; to not get involved.

او در کرانه نشسته و فقط تماشا می‌کند.

Metaphorical
"دل به دریا زدن و به کرانه نرسیدن"

— To take a risk but fail to reach the goal.

دل به دریا زد اما به کرانه‌ای نرسید.

Literary
"کرانه‌های خیال"

— The limits of imagination.

او در کرانه‌های خیال خود غرق بود.

Poetic
"بی‌حد و کران"

— Without any limits (often used for love or power).

قدرت خدا بی‌حد و کران است.

Religious/Formal
"به کرانه راندن"

— To push someone to the edge or to isolate them.

دشمن آن‌ها را به کرانه راند.

Formal
"چشم به کرانه داشتن"

— To look forward to an end or a destination.

او همیشه چشم به کرانه موفقیت داشت.

Metaphorical

Word Family

Nouns

کرانه (shore)
بیکرانگی (boundlessness)
کرانه‌نشین (coastal dweller)

Verbs

کرانه گرفتن (to take a side/edge - rare)

Adjectives

کرانه‌ای (coastal)
بیکران (boundless)
بیکرانه (limitless)

Related

کنار
کناره
مرز
ساحل
دیوار
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Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a **K**ar (car) driving on the **Rane** (rainy) **Shore**. Kar-Rane = Karāne.

Visual Association

Picture the 'West Bank' on a map. The word 'Bank' is 'Karane'. Associate the shape of the river edge with the word.

Word Web

Sea River Limit Horizon West Bank Boundless Coast Edge

Challenge

Try to use 'Karane' in a sentence about the Caspian Sea, then use 'Bi-karane' to describe the sky.

Word Origin

Derived from Middle Persian (Pahlavi) 'karān', which means 'end', 'boundary', or 'limit'.

Original meaning: The boundary or the extreme point of something.

Indo-European (Indo-Iranian branch).
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