limb Hear it!

limb1 definition

limb (lim)

noun

  1. a part that extends from the trunk of a body, as an arm, leg, or wing
  2. a large branch of a tree
  3. any projecting part forming an outgrowth or extension from a larger body
  4. a person or thing regarded as a branch, part, agent, or representative a policeman is a limb of the law
  5. Chiefly Brit., Informal a naughty child

Etymology: with unhistoric -b < ME lim < OE, akin to ON limr, limb < IE base *(e)lei-, to bend > el(bow)

transitive verb

Rare to dismember; disjoint

Related Forms:

limb Idioms

out on a limb

Informal in a precarious or vulnerable position or situation
limb2 definition

limb (lim)

noun

  1. a border, margin, or edge
  2. Astron. the apparent outer edge of a celestial object
  3. Bot. the spreading outer portion of the corolla of certain flowers

Etymology: Fr limbe, orig., limbo < ML(Ec) limbus < L: see limbo

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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