limp
limp (limp)
intransitive verb
- to walk with or as with a lame or partially disabled leg
- to move or proceed unevenly, jerkily, or laboriously, as because of being impaired, defective, damaged, etc.
Etymology: ME lympen < OE limpan, to befall, occur (in a specialized sense, to walk lamely), akin to MHG limpfen, to walk with a limp, OHG limfan, to befall, happen < IE *(s)lemb- < base *leb-, to hang down, be limp > slump, MHG lumpe, rag, L labor, limbus
noun
limp (limp)
adjective
- lacking or having lost stiffness or body; flaccid, drooping, wilted, etc.
- lacking firmness, energy, or vigor
- flexible, as the binding of some books
Etymology: < base of limp, akin to MHG lampen, to hang limply
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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