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limb

[ lim ]

/ lɪm /

noun

a part or member of an animal body distinct from the head and trunk, as a leg, arm, or wing: the lower limbs; artificial limbs.

a large or main branch of a tree.

a projecting part or member: the four limbs of a cross.

a person or thing regarded as a part, member, branch, offshoot, or scion of something: a limb of the central committee.

Archery. the upper or lower part of a bow.

Informal. a mischievous child, imp, or young scamp.

verb (used with object)

to cut the limbs from (a felled tree).

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This windfall of words will make you rich with knowledge. Mine your memory on the words from July 27 to August 2!

Question 1 of 7

What does "scattergood" mean?

a person who acts as though he or she knows everything and who dismisses the opinions, comments, or suggestions of others.

a person who spends possessions or money extravagantly or wastefully; spendthrift.

a well-intentioned but naive and often ineffectual social or political reformer.

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Idioms for limb

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

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

SYNONYMS FOR limb

1 extremity.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR limb ON THESAURUS.COM

synonym study for limb

2. See branch.

OTHER WORDS FROM limb

limbless, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH limb

limb , limn.

Words nearby limb

limacine, limaçon, liman, Limassol, Limavady, limb, limba, limbate, limb bud, limbed, limber

Definition for limb (2 of 2)

limb²

[ 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.

the upper spreading part of a gamopetalous corolla.
the expanded portion of a petal, sepal, or leaf.

Origin of limb

1350–1400; Middle English <Latin limbus;see limbus², limbo¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for limb

Mating with a cousin or brother is safer than risking life and limb to mate with an outsider.
Mongooses, Meerkats, and Ants, Oh My! Why Some Animals Keep Mating All in the Family|Helen Thompson|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“We can do anything here from open heart surgery to limb amputations,” he says.
Behind the Scenes With a ‘Site Agent’: The Secret Service’s Hardest Job|Marc Ambinder|October 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Some might want to be the star, others to direct, but it takes a special breed to want to risk life and limb as a stuntman.
Amateur Stuntmen, the iPhone 6, and More Viral Videos|Jack Holmes|August 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
So now, keeping all that in mind, how many Afghans do you think risked life and limb to cast their ballot?
Would You Risk Your Life to Vote? It Looks Like 7 Million Afghans Did.|Dean Obeidallah|April 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The year will start bleakly—really going out on a limb there, eh?
Obamacare, Impeachment, Iran, and More Political Predictions for 2014|Michael Tomasky|December 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
A movement and my legs might fall off the limb and drag me downward.
The Rifle Rangers|Captain Mayne Reid
It is usually about six weeks before the patient can use the limb with freedom.
Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities--Head--Neck. Sixth Edition.|Alexander Miles
Like a young priestess she stood, motionless save for the sudden quiver of a limb, a quick pulse-flutter in the rounded throat.
The Mystery of Choice|Robert William Chambers
Quaking in every limb, his teeth chattering, and a cold sweat pouring from him, he listened as the awful voice spoke again.
Toto's Merry Winter|Laura E. Richards
If skilled massage cannot be obtained, gentle rubbing of the limb will fulfil the same useful purpose.
Nervous Breakdowns and How to Avoid Them|Charles David Musgrove

British Dictionary definitions for limb (1 of 2)

limb¹

/ (lɪm) /

noun

an arm or leg, or the analogous part on an animal, such as a wing

any of the main branches of a tree

a branching or projecting section or member; extension

a person or thing considered to be a member, part, or agent of a larger group or thing

mainly British a mischievous child (esp in limb of Satan or limb of the devil)

out on a limb

in a precarious or questionable position
British isolated, esp because of unpopular opinions

verb

(tr) a rare word for dismember

Derived forms of limb

limbless, adjective

Word Origin for limb

Old English lim; related to Old Norse limr

British Dictionary definitions for limb (2 of 2)

limb²

/ (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

the expanded upper part of a bell-shaped corolla
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

Medical 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.

Scientific 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.

Idioms and Phrases with limb

limb

see out on a limb; risk life and limb.

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limb