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lime¹ Definition

lime (līm)

noun

  1. birdlime
  2. a white substance, calcium oxide, CaO, obtained by the action of heat on limestone, shells, and other material containing calcium carbonate, and used in making mortar and cement, and, when hydrated, in neutralizing acid soil
  3. a calcareous deposit from water inside pipes, pans, etc.

Etymology: ME < OE līm, akin to Ger leim < IE base *(s)lei-, slime, wet and sticky, to smooth over > Gr leios, smooth, L limus, slime, mud, linere, to smear, levis, smooth, OE lam, clay

transitive verb limed, lim·ing

  1. to cement
  2. to smear with birdlime
  3. to catch with or as with birdlime
  4. to apply lime to; treat with lime

lime² Definition

lime (līm)

noun

  1. a small, lemon-shaped, greenish-yellow citrus fruit with a juicy, sour pulp, rich in ascorbic acid
  2. the small, thorny, semitropical citrus tree (Citrus aurantifolia) that it grows on, originally native to S Asia
  3. greenish yellow

Etymology: Fr < Prov limo < Ar līmaḥ < līm, citrus fruit > lemon

adjective

  1. made with or of limes
  2. having a flavor like that of limes
  3. greenish-yellow

lime³ Definition

lime (līm)

noun

linden

Etymology: < earlier line < ME lind: see linden

lime Usage Examples

Object

  • oak: Bathroom 2: Most attractive fitted out in limed oak with fully tiled walls.

Converse of object

  • slake: Slaked lime 40 What is the name for slaked lime dissolved in water?
  • add: Choose a well drained spot; neutral soil is best so add lime if your soil is acid.
  • apply: To encourage pink to red blooms on plants in high acid soil, apply lime to the soil.
  • mix: You shouldn't mix lime render and cement render.

Preposition: around

  • rim: Place a layer of sea salt in a saucer and rub a quarter of lime around the rim of the 2 chilled glasses.

Adjective modifier

  • non-hydraulic: Both hydraulic and non-hydraulic limes must be kept slightly damp but at the same time air must be allowed to circulate.
  • hydrated: I am on the trail of Hydrated lime too.
  • small-leaved: Small-leaved lime, Clowes Wood The trees that grow in Clowes Wood in a sense tell the story of woodlands in Britain.
  • hydraulic: Hydraulic lime on the other hand will set in the absence of air, even underwater.
  • large-leaved: The tree that is special in these ancient woods is the large-leaved lime.
  • leaved: Richard Crosby from Devon contacted us about his 'adopted ' small leaved lime he was worried about.

Modifies a noun

  • mortar: In some places the original lime mortar was, frankly, just sand.
  • kiln: The old lime kilns on the eastern side of the harbor.
  • putty: For lime plaster you would normally use lime putty supplied in a tub.
  • juice: With a squeeze of fresh lime juice, olive oil makes a very pleasant salad dressing.
  • plaster: For lime plaster you would normally use lime putty supplied in a tub.
  • zest: Meanwhile, place the butter, chili, lime juice and lime zest in a small saucepan.

Noun used with modifier

  • kaffir: Get ready to treat your hands to a rich infusion of Thai kaffir lime leaves.
  • soda: Note that it must never be used in the presence of soda lime.
lime Quotes

Every known class of refusal was successfully exhibited. Onehorse endeavoured to climbtherailsintothe Grand Stand; another, having stoppeddeadatthecritical point, swung round, and returned in consternation to the starting-point, with hisrider hanging likea locket around his neck. Another, dowered with a sense of humour

—Martin Ross

Browse dictionary entries near lime

  1. limbus
  2. Limburger (cheese)
  3. Limburg
  4. limbo
  5. limbic system
  6. limbers
  7. limber
  8. limbed
  9. limbate
  10. limb
  1. lime burner
  2. lime sulfur
  3. lime twig
  4. limeade
  5. Limehouse
  6. limekiln
  7. limelight
  8. limen
  9. limerick
  10. limestone