limited liability

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

limited liability
    n 1: the liability of a firm's owners for no more than the
         capital they have invested in the firm

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Liability \Li`a*bil"i*ty\ (l[imac]`[.a]*b[i^]l"[i^]*t[y^]), n.;
   pl. {Liabilities} (-t[i^]z).
   [1913 Webster]
   1. The state of being liable; as, the liability of an
      insurer; liability to accidents; liability to the law.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. That which one is under obligation to pay, or for which
      one is liable. Specifically, in the pl., the sum of one's
      pecuniary obligations; -- opposed to {assets}.
      [1913 Webster]

   {Limited liability}. See {Limited company}, under {Limited}.
      [1913 Webster]