word of limitation: a word in a deed or will esp. following the name of an intended grantee or devisee that serves to describe the nature or extent of the estate granted or devised
— usu. used in pl.
construed “and his heirs” in “to John and his heirs” as words of limitation describing an estate in fee simple rather than as words of purchase giving a future interest in the estate to his heirs compare word of purchase
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.