limn

verb \ˈlim\

limnedlimn·ing \ˈli-miŋ, ˈlim-niŋ\

Definition of LIMN

transitive verb

: to draw or paint on a surface

: to outline in clear sharp detail : delineate

: describe <the novel limns the frontier life of the settlers>

— limn·er \ˈli-mər, ˈlim-nər\ noun

Origin of LIMN

Middle English limnen to illuminate (a manuscript), probably back-formation from lymnour illuminator, alteration of lumenur, from Anglo-French aluminer, enluminer to illuminate, ultimately from Latin illuminare

First Known Use: 1592

Related to LIMN

Synonyms: delineate, depict, draw, image, describe, paint, picture, portray, render, set out, sketch

Other Fine Arts Terms

Gothic, baroque, bas-relief, oeuvre, pastiche, rococo, sfumato

Rhymes with LIMN

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

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "limn"

Britannica English: Translation of "limn" for Arabic speakers

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