definitions

limb

1
[ lim ]
/ lɪm /
|||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR limb ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

verb (used with object)

to cut the limbs from (a felled tree).

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RELATED WORDS

wheel, leg, extremity, stem, arm, branch, wing, projection, pin, lobe, spur, bough, spray, member, process, switch, part, sprig, extension, offshoot

Nearby words

limacine, liman, limassol, limavady, limaçon, limb, limb bud, limb lead, limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, limba, limbate

Idioms

    out on a limb, in a dangerous or compromising situation; vulnerable: The company overextended itself financially and was soon out on a limb.

Origin of limb

1
before 900; Middle English, Old English lim; akin to Old Norse lim foliage, limr limb, līmi rod, Latin līmus aslant, līmen threshold

Related forms

limb·less, adjective

Can be confused

limb limn

Synonym study

2. See branch.

Definition for limb (2 of 2)

limb

2
[ lim ]
/ lɪm /

noun

Astronomy. the edge of the disk of the sun, a moon, or a planet.
the graduated edge of a quadrant or similar instrument.
Botany.
  1. the upper spreading part of a gamopetalous corolla.
  2. the expanded portion of a petal, sepal, or leaf.

Origin of limb

2
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin limbus; see limbus2, limbo1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for limb

British Dictionary definitions for limb (1 of 2)

limb

1
/ (lɪm) /

noun

verb

(tr) a rare word for dismember

Derived Forms

limbless, adjective

Word Origin for limb

Old English lim; related to Old Norse limr

British Dictionary definitions for limb (2 of 2)

limb

2
/ (lɪm) /

noun

the edge of the apparent disc of the sun, a moon, or a planet
a graduated arc attached to instruments, such as the sextant, used for measuring angles
botany
  1. the expanded upper part of a bell-shaped corolla
  2. the expanded part of a leaf, petal, or sepal
either of the two halves of a bow
Also called: fold limb either of the sides of a geological fold

Word Origin for limb

C15: from Latin limbus edge
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for limb

limb

[ lĭm ]

n.

One of the paired jointed extremities of the body; an arm or a leg.
A segment of such a jointed structure.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for limb

limb

[ lĭm ]

One of the appendages of an animal, such as an arm of a starfish, the flipper of dolphins, or the arm and leg of a human, used for locomotion or grasping.
The expanded tip of a plant organ, such as a petal or corolla lobe.
The circumferential edge of the apparent disk of a celestial body.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Idioms and Phrases with limb

limb

see out on a limb; risk life and limb.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.