lime

lime
{{11}}lime (n.1) "chalky mineral used in making mortar," from O.E. lim "sticky substance, birdlime, mortar, cement, gluten," from P.Gmc. *leimaz (Cf. O.S., O.N., Dan. lim, Du. lijm, Ger. Leim "birdlime"), from PIE root * (s)lei- "slime, slimy, sticky" (Cf. L. limus "slime, mud, mire," linere "to smear;" see SLIME (Cf. slime) (n.)). Lime is made by putting limestone or shells in a red heat, which burns off the carbonic acid and leaves a brittle white solid which dissolves easily in water. Hence lime-kiln (late 13c.), lime-burner (early 14c.). As a verb, c.1200, from the noun.
{{12}}lime (n.2) greenish-yellow citrus fruit, 1630s, probably via Sp. lima, from Arabic limah "citrus fruit," from Pers. limun "lemon" (see LEMON (Cf. lemon) (n.1)). Related: Limeade (1892), with ending as in lemonade.
{{12}}lime (n.3) "linden tree," 1620s, earlier line (c.1500), from M.E. lynde (early 14c.), from O.E. lind "lime tree" (see LINDEN (Cf. linden)). Klein suggests the change of -n- to -m- probably began in compounds whose second element began in a labial (e.g. line-bark, line-bast). An ornamental European tree unrelated to the tree that produces the citrus fruit.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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Synonyms:
, / , / (Citrus limetta) /


Look at other dictionaries:

  • lime — lime …   Dictionnaire des rimes

  • limé — limé …   Dictionnaire des rimes

  • lime — 1. (li m ) s. f. 1°   Outil de fer ou plutôt d acier garni d aspérités régulièrement disposées, et qui sert à polir, à couper le fer, etc. •   On conte qu un serpent, voisin d un horloger, Entra dans sa boutique, et, cherchant à manger, N y… …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

  • Lime (TV) — Lime TV, formerly known as the WISDOM Television, is now defunct as a traditional television network and has instead focused and expanded into new digital mediums. The current Lime online website offers information and entertainment centered… …   Wikipedia

  • Lime — Lime, n. [AS. l[=i]m; akin to D. lijm, G. leim, OHG. l[=i]m, Icel. l[=i]m, Sw. lim, Dan. liim, L. limus mud, linere to smear, and E. loam. [root]126. Cf. {Loam}, {Liniment}.] 1. Birdlime. [1913 Webster] Like the lime That foolish birds are caught …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Lime — Lime, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Limed} (l[imac]md); p. pr. & vb. n. {Liming}.] [Cf. AS. gel[=i]man to glue or join together. See {Lime} a viscous substance.] 1. To smear with a viscous substance, as birdlime. [1913 Webster] These twigs, in time, will… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • lime — Ⅰ. lime [1] ► NOUN 1) quicklime, slaked lime, or any salt or alkali containing calcium. 2) archaic birdlime. ► VERB ▪ treat with lime. DERIVATIVES limy adjective …   English terms dictionary

  • Lime — Lime, n. [F. lime; of Persian origin. See {Lemon}.] 1. (Bot.) The fruit of the {Citrus aurantifolia}, allied to the lemon, but greener in color; also, the tree which bears it. Note: The term lime was formerly also applied to variants of the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Lime — puede referirse a: Limé, una localidad y comuna de Francia. Lime (grupo), un grupo canadiense de música electrónica y Disco. Lime (anime), género en que se muestra de forma más implícita que en el Lemon las relaciones sexuales. Lime (sistema… …   Wikipedia Español

  • lime — [ laım ] noun * ▸ 1 fruit with green skin ▸ 2 white substance ▸ 3 lime green color ▸ 4 drink made from limes ▸ 5 linden tree 1. ) count or uncount a fruit with a hard green skin and sour juice that grows on a lime tree: a slice of lime 2. )… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • limé — limé, ée (li mé, mée) part. passé de limer. Travaillé à la lime. Fer limé.    Fig. Poli, corrigé. Ouvrage trop limé …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

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