limey
[ lahy-mee ]
/ ˈlaɪ mi /
noun, plural lim·eys.
a British sailor.
a British ship.
a British person.
adjective
British.
QUIZZES
THIS PSAT VOCABULARY QUIZ IS PERFECT PRACTICE FOR THE REAL TEST
In our third teacher-created PSAT practice test there are new and unique vocabulary terms you may have never heard of! Can you guess what they mean?
Question 1 of 10
seclusion
Origin of limey
First recorded in 1885–90; see origin at lime-juicer, -y2
usage note for limey
This term (and the earlier lime-juicer ) was probably first applied by Americans to British sailors, used with disparaging intent and perceived as insulting. Historically, it also referred to a British immigrant in Australia. Later it became a more neutral nickname for any British person.
Words nearby limey
lime sulfur, lime tree, lime twig, limewater, limewood, limey, Lim Fjord, limicoline, limicolous, liminal, liminality
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
British Dictionary definitions for limey
limey
/ (ˈlaɪmɪ) US and Canadian slang /
noun
a British person
a British sailor or ship
adjective
British
Word Origin for limey
abbreviated from C19 lime-juicer, because British sailors were required to drink lime juice as a protection against scurvy
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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