The bounds of fictorial imitation (5)

I believe the answer is:

limit

'the bounds' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'of fictorial imitation' is the wordplay.
'of' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'LIMIT' can be found hidden inside 'fictorial imitation'.

(Other definitions for limit that I've seen before include "Hem in" , "maximum number" , "control" , "Ceiling" , "Furthest bound" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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