ambit
     n : an area in which something acts or operates or has power or
         control: "the range of a supersonic jet"; "the ambit of
         municipal legislation"; "within the compass of this
         article"; "within the scope of an investigation";
         "outside the reach of the law"; "in the political orbit
         of a world power" [syn: {scope}, {range}, {reach}, {orbit},
          {compass}]
Source: WordNet® 2.0