I. ˈlim noun
Etymology: Middle English lim, from Old English; akin to Old Norse limr limb and perhaps to Old English lith limb
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : one of the projecting paired appendages (as wings) of an animal body used especially for movement and grasping but sometimes modified into sensory or sexual organs
b. : a leg or arm of a human being
2. : a large primary branch of a tree
3. : an active member or agent
4. : extension , branch
5. : a mischievous child
• limb·less ˈlim-ləs adjective
• limby ˈli-mē adjective
•
- out on a limb
II. transitive verb
Date: 1674
1. : dismember
2. : to cut off the limbs of (a felled tree)
III. noun
Etymology: Latin limbus border
Date: circa 1677
1. : the outer edge of the apparent disk of a celestial body
2. : the expanded portion of an organ or structure ; especially : the upper spreading portion of a corolla (as of the phlox) whose lower part consists of a tube of fused petals