Depending on the value being limited (variations, max. current or dynamics) different terms could be applied. As I have no detailled information about this subject I do propose a range of possible translations.

fr Terminus séparateur
Zuverlässigkeit 3 (Zuverlässig)
Quelle GLOSSAIRE EURATOM
Datum 24/09/2003

Terminus circuit ecrêteur
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Terminus circuit d'écretage
Zuverlässigkeit 3 (Zuverlässig)
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Terminus circuit limiteur
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de Terminus Impulsebegrenzer
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Terminus Begrenzerkreis
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en Definition a part of a counter amplifier which shortens the decay time of the output pulse to a desirable length
Quelle EURATOM GLOSSARY

Terminus clipping circuit
Zuverlässigkeit 3 (Zuverlässig)
Quelle EURATOM GLOSSARY;Concise Encyclopaedia of Nuclear Energy
Datum 24/09/2003

Terminus clipper
Zuverlässigkeit 3 (Zuverlässig)
Quelle EURATOM GLOSSARY;Concise Encyclopaedia of Nuclear Energy
Datum 24/09/2003

http://iate.europa.eu/iatediff/SearchByQuery.do?method=searc... limiteur &sourceLanguage=fr&domain=0&matching=&start=0&next=1&targetLanguages=de&targetLanguages=en&targetLanguages=fr

In electronics, a clipper is a device designed to prevent the output of a circuit from exceeding a predetermined voltage level without distorting the remaining part of the applied waveform.
A clipping circuit consists of linear elements like resistors and non-linear elements like junction diodes or transistors, but it does not contain energy-storage elements like capacitors. Clipping circuits are used to select for purposes of transmission, that part of a signal wave form which lies above or below a certain reference voltage level.
Thus a clipper circuit can remove certain portions of an arbitrary waveform near the positive or negative peaks. Clipping may be achieved either at one level or two levels. Usually under the section of clipping, there is a change brought about in the wave shape of the signal.
Clipping Circuits are also called as Slicers, amplitude selectors or limiters.
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In the example circuits above, one or two zener diodes are used to clip the voltage VIN. In the first circuit, the voltage is clipped to the reverse breakdown voltage of the zener diode. In the second, it is limited to the reverse breakdown voltage plus the voltage drop across one zener diode.
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Practical clippers may be classified into two types: (a) Shunt Clippers, and (b) Series Clippers.
In a shunt clipper which uses a diode in conjunction with a resistor the diode forms a parallel path across the output.
The clamping network is the one that will "clamp" a signal to a different dc level. The network must have capacitor, a diode, and a resistive element, but it also employs an independent dc supply to introduce an additional shift.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clipper_(electronics)

CLIPPING AND CLAMPING DIODE CIRCUITS OBJECTIVES
· To understand the theory of operation of the clipping and clamping diode circuits.
· To design wave shapes that meet different circuits needs.
INTRODUCTION
By definition, clipping circuits clip signals above a selected voltage level, whereas clamping circuits shift the DC voltage of a waveform. Many wave shapes can be produced with the proper application of these two important diode functions.
http://www.sonoma.edu/users/h/haider/courses/es231/lab_sheet...

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Accurate analog clipping control of an amplifier's output nodes is important for applications such as mixed signal codecs. Most prior art codecs are a combination of analog input and digital output. For example, one type of codec has an analog amplifier providing the analog input to a sigma-delta analog to digital (A/D) converter. When the analog signal corresponding to the maximum digital value of the A/D converter is less than the dynamic range of the amplifier, the A/D converter and a corresponding digital filter can overload. When the digital filter overloads, internal clipping mechanisms prevent wrap around of the digital signal. This creates a digital representation of a trapezoidal signal that contains harmonics with sufficient power to increase the FM modulation depth to undesirable levels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The analog clipping circuit includes: a main amplifier; a feedback resistor coupled between a first input of the main amplifier and an output of the main amplifier; a first current source coupled in parallel with the feedback resistor; a first clipping amplifier coupled to the first current source for controlling the first current source, the first clipping amplifier having a first input coupled to an output of the main amplifier and a second input coupled to a first reference node; a second current source coupled in parallel with the feedback resistor; and a second clipping amplifier coupled to the second current source for controlling the second current source, the second clipping amplifier having a first input coupled to an output of the main amplifier and a second input coupled to a reference node.
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6084467.html

Abstract: The MAX1864 is a low-cost, multiple-output converter consisting of a switching buck circuit and two positive linear regulators. Although this integrated circuit's basic application circuit offers a low cost multiple output supply, designs that require current limited linear regulator outputs (the switching buck is already current limited) need to consult this application note. If shorts are expected at the linear regulator outputs, or where mishaps can cause the power dissipation of the external pass element to be exceeded, current limiting should be employed. Further protection can be had with a foldback current-limiting circuit. This application note details the design and implementation of current limiting for the MAX1864 positive linear regulators.
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One drawback to this circuit is the variation of the discrete transistor parameters. Beta and the Vbe drop are often specced with a wide variance in the data sheets, so the design can be somewhat dependent on these parameters. Care must be taken to use the minimum beta and the worst-case Vbe for designs that must guarantee current-limit performance over the production life of the circuit and its components. The graph in Figure 5 presents the current-limit performance for the Figure 6 circuit with three different transistors sets, and shows that it tracks very well from device to device.

The MAX1864 is a versatile integrated circuit that can provide a cost-effective multiple-output converter. The MAX1865 has extra positive and negative gain blocks in addition to the features of the MAX1864, providing the capability to generate quintuple-output power supplies. The MAX1964 and MAX1965 add power-up sequencing and tracking. The MAX8513 and MAX8514 can also benefit from the current-limiting techniques presented in this note. The MAX1865, MAX1965 and MAX8514 all have negative output regulators and, although this is not presented in this note, the PNP transistor can be replaced with equivalent NPN transistors to facilitate the same current-limit functions. These multiple-output supplies are of much greater value to the engineer, with current-limit and foldback circuits that can be implemented when needed.
http://www.maxim-ic.com/app-notes/index.mvp/id/3654

But there is still an open question, whether the maximum current is limited or the current variations (dynamic compression)

Saturation may be especially likely for individuals who speak at a higher than normal volume. Another possibility is saturation distortion at the output stage when the output limit of the hearing aid does not increase with gain settings. This would be especially true for linear hearing aids that use peak clipping as the output limiting method. Subjective comments like ‘distorted,” “unnatural,” “static” are frequently used to describe voice problems with such origin. Gain reduction at high input levels and the use of a compression limiting circuit at the output stage may solve such complaints.

In contrast, some wearers react negatively to gain reduction at high input or to a compression limiting circuit. They may say that their own voice sounds “muffled,” “unnatural,” or “not loud enough.” This is especially a possibility for those who are accustomed to linear hearing aids with peak clipping. The dispensing professional may need to increase gain at high inputs (ie, increase MPO setting or decrease compression ratio) to satisfy these wearers.
http://www.hearingreview.com/issues/articles/2002-08_02.asp

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a circuit for a compression-expansion system which makes it possible, with comparably low expenditures, to obtain good quality with respect to the desired correspondance between the compression and expansion characteristics, low temperature dependence, good reproducibility of the desired values in instruments of one or a plurality of mass-produced series without requiring the extra work of matching, and an enlargement of the system toward very high degrees of compression and expansion.
The present invention relates to a circuit for the automatic dynamic compression or expansion in a useful signal path with a setting member, or variable gain member, for varying the transmission factor, and in which a branch exists from the output or input, of the useful signal path. In this branch a control voltage is produced from the useful signal in a control voltage generator and is fed to the setting member in the useful signal path. According to the invention the control voltage is also fed to a setting member, or variable gain member, disposed in the branch path for the purpose of effecting a counter regulation of the transmission factor in the branch path.
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/3969680.html