ˈlim transitive verb
( limned -md ; limned ; limning -m(n)iŋ ; limns )
Etymology: Middle English limnen to illuminate (a manuscript), alteration of luminen, modification of Middle French enluminer to illuminate (a manuscript), light up, from Old French, modification (influenced by Old French en- ) of Latin illuminare to light up, illuminate, embellish — more at illuminate
1.
a. : to draw or paint upon a canvas or other flat surface
not every ancestral likeness had been limned by the brush of a maestro — R.P.Warren
b. : to outline in clear sharp detail : delineate
sees the tanker limned in her periscope sights — E.L.Beach
the sweep of the main avenues sprang forth limned in light — H.T.Desa
its contours framed in a luminous aureole rather than limned — Norman Douglas
2. : to describe or portray in symbols (as words or notes)
testimony limned a desperate situation — Time
limns the complete domination and degradation of the state — Murray Seasongood
Synonyms: see represent