statute of limitations
1 a: a statute establishing a period of time from the accrual of a cause of action (as upon the occurrence or discovery of an injury) within which a right of action must be exercised compare laches, statute of repose
b: a criminal statute establishing the period of time within which an offense can be punished after its commission
2: a period of time established by a statute of limitations for commencing an action or prosecution
3: an affirmative defense that the statute of limitations has expired
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.