1. n.1 any of the projecting parts of a person's or animal's body used for contact or movement.
2 a large branch of a tree.
3 a branch of a cross.
4 a spur of a mountain.
5 a clause of a sentence.
Phrases and idioms:
out on a limb
1. isolated, stranded.
2 at a disadvantage. tear limb from limb violently dismember. with life and limb (esp. escape) without grave injury.
Derivatives:
limbed adj. (also in comb.). limbless adj.
Etymology: OE lim f. Gmc 2. n.1 Astron. a a specified edge of the sun, moon, etc. (eastern limb; lower limb). b the graduated edge of a quadrant etc.
2 Bot. the broad part of a petal, sepal, or leaf.
Etymology: F limbe or L limbus hem, border