in limine

UK/ˌɪn ˈlɪmɪneɪ/

adverb

At the beginning, as a preliminary matter; specifically, before a particular procedure or proceeding takes place.

OriginLatin in līmine →
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Meanings

adverbin limine (not comparable)
  1. USnot comparablelawAt the beginning, as a preliminary matter; specifically, before a particular procedure or proceeding takes place.
adjective
  1. USlawOf a motion, hearing, ruling, etc., pertaining to a request made at the start of a trial that the judge rule that certain evidence may not be introduced in a trial; most common in criminal trials where evidence is subject to constitutional limitations, such as statements made without Miranda warnings.

Origin

  1. Latinin līmine
  2. Englishin limine

Unadapted borrowing from Latin in līmine (literally “in the threshold”).

More words from Latin

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

in limine. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/in%20limine

MLA

“in limine.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/in%20limine. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “in limine,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/in%20limine.

Source: in limine on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.