limbo

¹

[ lim-boh ]

noun

, plural lim·bos.

1. (often initial capital letter) Roman Catholic Theology. a region on the border of hell or heaven, serving as the abode after death of unbaptized infants limbo of infants and of the righteous who died before the coming of Christ limbo of the fathers, or limbo of the patriarchs.
2. a place or state of oblivion to which persons or things are regarded as being relegated when cast aside, forgotten, past, or out of date:

   My youthful hopes are in the limbo of lost dreams.

3. an intermediate, transitional, or midway state or place.
4. a place or state of imprisonment or confinement.

limbo

²

[ lim-boh ]

noun

, plural lim·bos.

1. a dance from the West Indies, originally for men only, in which the dancer bends backward from the knees and moves with a shuffling step under a horizontal bar that is lowered after each successive pass.

limbo

¹

/ ˈlɪmbəʊ /

noun

1. often capital RC Church the supposed abode of infants dying without baptism and the just who died before Christ
2. an imaginary place for lost, forgotten, or unwanted persons or things
3. an unknown intermediate place or condition between two extremes

   in limbo

4. a prison or confinement

limbo

²

/ ˈlɪmbəʊ /

noun

1. a Caribbean dance in which dancers pass, while leaning backwards, under a bar

limbo

1. In the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church regarding the afterlife, the condition of innocent persons who die without benefit of baptism ; those in limbo do not suffer damnation , but they do not enjoy the presence of God. Limbo means “a bordering place.”

Notes

Figuratively, “limbo” is a state of nonresolution or uncertainty: “Until he receives notice of his new posting, he'll be in limbo.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of limbo¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Medieval Latin phrase in limbō “on hell's border” ( Latin: “on the edge”), from Latin in “in, on” + limbō, ablative of limbus “edge, border”

Origin of limbo²

First recorded in 1955–60; of disputed origin; perhaps compare Jamaican English limba “to bend; easily bending”; limber ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of limbo¹

C14: from Medieval Latin in limbo on the border (of hell)

Origin of limbo²

C20: origin uncertain

Idioms and Phrases

see in limbo .

Example Sentences

And for players and fans, these two games represent a strange 'limbo' period before new head coach Thomas Tuchel takes over in January.

From BBC

The case has been in legal limbo since the Supreme Court ruled this summer that Trump was partially immune from criminal prosecution over official acts committed while in office.

From BBC

Established nonprofits took on 11 of the properties, mostly those newer and in better condition, leaving 18 in limbo.

From Los Angeles Times

Mrs Brown said she felt like she was in limbo as she had not heard back from the Home Office since emailing over evidence of her identity.

From BBC

"I was stuck at this wee limbo phase, where I didn't know what would be my future outcome," he said.

From BBC

Related Words

• oblivion