Each language assigns exact or similar definitions to several words. It is up to the speaker to convey a specific message. This message will be loaded with intentions and different degrees of complexity, depending on the person’s skills. This person evaluates in his mind all the options available for a word, and his criteria is the one that chooses the one he considers most appropriate. In today’s article, we will study the words “border” and “boundary” and the connection between them.
Many authors use the word “border” to refer to the formal line of political division between territories or countries. “Boundary” indicates a difference between cultures or social groups, which does not always have a visible division. People use these words as synonyms because both express division.
Learning new concepts facilitates access to further terms, confidence to use new words, and increases our communication skills. All this incorporation of new words will lead us on a progressive path to language proficiency. This article will discover the definition of border and boundary, their origins, uses, anecdotes, and much more relevant information.
What Does The Word “Border” Mean?
The word border is a very versatile term nowadays. Below we will review its most common meanings.
“Border” As A Verb
- To put an edge on something. To the border.
- To touch an edge or limit.
- To be on the border of a territory.
- To approach the nature or essence of a finished thing.
“Border” As A Noun
- The outer edge of something.
- A decorative strip around something.
- A strip of land where people grow decorative plants.
- Borderline or area dividing political or geographic regions.
- A vigorous style of traditional English dance comes from the villages on the border between England and Wales. A group of dancers performs this dance who usually have their faces painted black.
The Origin Of The Word “Border”
The word border does not have many detailed references about its origin. Some centuries ago, in the era before modernism, the term “border” was vague and referred to either side of a boundary.
In the past, borders were not very well-defined lines. Instead of borders, there were in-between zones that people often claimed. These claims generated fighting between sides to gain the coveted territory. Some of the specific historical facts about the origin of the “border” are:
- In the mid-14th century, the “border” had the meaning of “broadband of color surrounding a shield.”
- Another concept of the “border” came from Old French, to define it as “seam, edge of a shield and border.”
- From the late 14th century, people defined “border” as “end, side, edge, margin.”
- For the time, another concept of “border” was the “ornamental end that surrounds a plate or garment.”
- Also, at the end of the 14th century, the definition of “limit of a city or country” arose. People also defined it as a “border region, district located within the limits of a country.”
- In 1827, in the United States, “border” was “the line that divides the wild and civilized regions of the country.”
What Does The Word “Boundary” Mean?
Now it is the turn of the word “boundary” to review some of its primary meanings.
- It is the line or place of separation between two areas.
- In cricket, it is the edge or line that marks the boundary of the field of play.
- In cricket, it is a play where a player hits the ball over a specific boundary. This play usually awards 4 or 6 runs to the team that is batting.
- In mathematics, it is the set of points that do not belong to the interior of that set.
What Is The Origin Of The Word “Boundary”?
The term boundary also does not have much information to support its early uses in detail. However, let’s check the available data to understand this word a little more.
- “Boundary” is not as old as “border.” Experts say they have a record of its first use in the year 1626.
- “Boundary” comes from the Old French “bodne” and the Middle Latin “bodina,” and its meaning at that time was “boundary.”
- Other experts believe that “boundary” directly influences the Middle Latin word “bonnarium,” meaning “piece of land within a fixed boundary.”
The Close Relationship Between Border And Boundary
“Border” and “boundary” are words that have a very close relationship since they both enclose the sense of what divides a political entity or group. Both words maintain a distance determined by a very fine thread. It is not surprising that people and even many experts in communication and linguistics use these terms as synonyms. Some of the concepts where both words conclude are:
- To mention the line that demarcates the extension of a country, city, state, or territory.
- When a person uses the words to refer to a physical feature that determines the line that separates two political units.
- To mention a region that is close to a dividing line.
How Do People Use The Word “Border”?
The word “border” has an essential range of uses; for this reason, we will study some of them.
Natural Borders
People use the word “border” to refer to natural borders. Natural borders are geographical features that represent obstacles in nature to communication and fluid transportation.
Landscape Borders
This type of border combines political and natural borders. Usually, this type of border is political since the creation of a treaty creates it. In addition, the natural landscape that defines it is not natural but made by man.
Geometric Borders
These borders have straight lines, similar to lines of longitude and latitude. These borders are also political.
Fiat Borders
These borders are those that do not depend on a geographical accident. They are borders that are the product of human differentiation, such as electoral districts.
How Do People Use The Word “Boundary”?
In the following sections, we will study some of the most common uses of the word “boundary.”
Superimposed Boundaries
This concept is a type of boundary where an external or conquering power imposes on a region. This boundary ignores the natural or geographical demarcations of a territory.
Personal Boundaries
These boundaries are the physical and emotional limits that a person establishes with his environment. This type of boundary varies from person to person.
Maritime Boundary
A maritime boundary divides the ocean into zones controlled by different governments.
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Examples Of The Use Of The Words “Border” And “Boundary” In Everyday Sentences
I’m glad we’ve reached this point. In this final section, we will see some examples of sentences with the words “border” and “boundary.”
Examples With The Word “Border”
- We are at the border of a restricted area. I think it’s best if we go back.
- This weekend we are going to a beach that is right on the border of the two states.
- I hadn’t noticed until today how nice the border of the plate is.
- Don’t bother John today. He’s on the border of his boundary.
Examples With The Word “Boundary”
- The tree in the corner is the one that tells me which are the boundaries of my property.
- The landscape that marks the boundary between the two countries is entirely artificial.
- I think it is healthy to establish certain boundaries at the beginning of the relationship.
- The district tried to modify the boundaries of its extension, but the move backfired.
A Final Thought On Border And Boundary
Language, verbal or written, is an essential aspect of relating to other people. If we do it in the right way, our exchange of information will be more enriching every day.
Today we reviewed and understood all the aspects that have to do with the words “border” and “boundary.” This path of knowledge reiterates the great importance of the correct use of words to understand our environment clearly and without misunderstandings.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.