Can "limit" be used regarding a minimum? [closed]

For example, suppose there is a sale on candy bars and I buy three, and then the cashier says

Sorry sir, but the sale price is limited to a minimum purchase of 5 candy bars

Is that a correct usage of the word "limit"?

Or can it only be used with a maximum, such as in

Speed limit?

Solution 1:

Yes, the phrase “lower limit” does exist. The OED does redirect to “limit”, but its definition of “limit” does not say that it must be an upper limit. The Free Dictionary defines “lower limit” as:

Noun 1. lower limit - the smallest possible quantity

It also lists “minimum” as a synonym.

Amusement parks often call the minimum and maximum height requirements “limits”. For example, SaferParks titles a page “Minimum Height Restrictions”, and says:

Why must my child be this tall to ride?

The amusement ride industry uses minimum height limits as a way of restricting the size of riders allowed on board. In some cases, the restriction is tied to the physical size of the rider ...

https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/limit

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/lower+limit

http://www.saferparks.org/safety-tips/minimum-height-restrictions

Solution 2:

It's not terrible-- I don't think it would be misunderstood, but it doesn't sound quite natural or even correct to me. "I'm sorry, but the sale price only applies to purchases of five or more Big Turks". Or "Sorry M'am but the offer is limited to bulk purchases of more than four Mars Bars".

The problem is that the "sale price" is not in itself limited. Sales at the offer price are what is limited.