limn
[lim]
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verb (used with object)
to represent in drawing or painting.
to portray in words; describe.
Obsolete. to illuminate (manuscripts).
Origin of limn
1400–50; late Middle English lymne, variant of Middle English luminen to illuminate (manuscripts), aphetic variant of enlumine < Middle French enluminer < Latin inlūmināre to embellish, literally, light up; see illuminate
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for limning
Contemporary Examples of limning
From it I learned the importance of limning a particular setting, a sense of place.
The boundaries of acceptable comedy have once again asserted themselves, limning the limits of gallows humor.
Historical Examples of limning
For his face, late blue with rage, was now black with a limning of the sewer liquid.
The Free LancesMayne Reid
But the canvas of my imagination, when it came to limning the Man About Town, was blank.
The Four MillionO. Henry
No one talks of "limning a missal," or of a "limned missal."
Arrows of the Chace, v. 2John Ruskin
Hilarius crimsoned, he was weary of limning ever with blue and gold, he faltered.
The Gathering of Brother HilariusMichael Fairless
In this art of limning or painting in water colours, his artists are wonderfully expert.
limn
verb (tr)
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
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limn
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper