¹limb

noun \ˈlim\

Definition of LIMB

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

: a large primary branch of a tree

: an active member or agent

: extension, branch

: a mischievous child

— limb·less \ˈlim-ləs\ adjective

— limby \ˈli-mē\ adjective

— out on a limb

: in an exposed or dangerous position with little chance of retreat

Origin of LIMB

Middle English lim, from Old English; akin to Old Norse limr limb and perhaps to Old English lith limb

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Seed Plant Terms

aubergine, box, bramble, briar, composite, perpetual, pulse, trefoil

Rhymes with LIMB

bream, brim, dim, glim, grim, Grimm, gym, him, hymn, limn, mim, nim, prim, rim, scrim, shim, skim, slim, swim, Tim, trim, vim, whim

²limb

verb

Definition of LIMB

transitive verb

: dismember

: to cut off the limbs of (a felled tree)

First Known Use of LIMB

1674

Other Wood Production Terms

cord, lumber, punk

³limb

noun

Definition of LIMB

: the outer edge of the apparent disk of a celestial body

: 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

Origin of LIMB

Latin limbus border

First Known Use: circa 1677

LIMBS Defined for Kids

limb

noun \ˈlim\

Definition of LIMB for Kids

: any of the paired parts (as an arm, wing, or leg) of an animal that stick out from the body and are used mostly in moving and grasping

: a large branch of a tree

— limbed \ˈlimd\ adjective

— limb·less \ˈlim-ləs\ adjective

Medical Dictionary

limb

noun \ˈlim\

Medical Definition of LIMB

: one of the projecting paired appendages (as an arm, wing, fin, or parapodium) of an animal body made up of diverse tissues (as epithelium, muscle, and bone) derived from two or more germ layers and concerned especially with movement and grasping but sometimes modified into sensory or sexual organs; especially : a human leg or arm

: a branch or arm of something (as an anatomical part) <the descending limb of Henle's loop>