  We introduce a notion of limit linear series for nodal curves which are not
of compact type. We give a construction of a moduli space of limit linear
series, which works also in smoothing families, and we prove a corresponding
specialization result. For a more restricted class of curves which
simultaneously generalizes two-component curves and curves of compact type, we
give an equivalent definition of limit linear series, which is visibly a
generalization of the Eisenbud-Harris definition. Finally, for the same class
of curves, we prove a smoothing theorem which constitutes an improvement over
known results even in the compact-type case.
