limn

[ lim ]

/ lɪm /

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See synonyms for: limn / limned on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to represent in drawing or painting.

to portray in words; describe.

Obsolete. to illuminate (manuscripts).

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of limn

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English lymne, variant of Middle English luminen “to illuminate (manuscripts),” variant of enlumine, from Middle French enluminer, from Latin inlūmināre “to embellish,” literally, “light up”; see illuminate

OTHER WORDS FROM limn

outlimn, verb (used with object)un·limned, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH limn

limb, limn

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use limn in a sentence

From it I learned the importance of limning a particular setting, a sense of place.
‘Miracle Boy Grows Up’: Ben Mattlin Speaks to Jay McInerney|Jay McInerney|December 22, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The boundaries of acceptable comedy have once again asserted themselves, limning the limits of gallows humor.
Too Soon? Jokes That Get People Fired|Lloyd Grove|March 16, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Nevertheless, slight though it is, the limning all through has touches of the most comic suggestiveness.
Charles Dickens as a Reader|Charles Kent
No one talks of "limning a missal," or of a "limned missal."
Arrows of the Chace, v. 2|John Ruskin

From the very beginning of one's task in limning bud and blossom, we see them richer in grace and loveliness than ever before.
Little Masterpieces of Science:|Various
Florio explains miniatura as "a limning (see p. 63), a painting with vermilion."
The Romance of Words (4th ed.)|Ernest Weekley
She was interested in Ida's graphic limning of his character.
Alone|Marion Harland

British Dictionary definitions for limn

limn

/ (lɪm) /

verb (tr)

to represent in drawing or painting

archaic to describe in words

an obsolete word for illuminate

Derived forms of limn

limner (ˈlɪmnə), noun

Word Origin for limn

C15: from Old French enluminer to illumine (a manuscript) from Latin inlūmināre to brighten, from lūmen light

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

limn

Origin of limn

OTHER WORDS FROM limn

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH limn

Words related to limn

How to use limn in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for limn

Derived forms of limn

Word Origin for limn