lime

¹

[ lahym ]

noun

1. the small, greenish-yellow, acid fruit of a citrus tree, Citrus aurantifolia, allied to the lemon.
2. the tree that bears this fruit.
3. greenish yellow.

adjective

1. of the color lime.
2. of or made with limes.

lime

²

[ lahym ]

noun

1. Also called burnt lime;. a white or grayish-white, odorless, lumpy, very slightly water-soluble solid, CaO, that when combined with water forms calcium hydroxide slaked lime, obtained from calcium carbonate, limestone, or oyster shells: used chiefly in mortars, plasters, and cements, in bleaching powder, and in the manufacture of steel, paper, glass, and various chemicals of calcium.
2. a calcium compound for improving crops grown in soils deficient in lime.
3. birdlime.

verb (used with object)

, limed, lim·ing.

1. to treat (soil) with lime or compounds of calcium.
2. to smear (twigs, branches, etc.) with birdlime.
3. to catch with or as if with birdlime.
4. to paint or cover (a surface) with a composition of lime and water; whitewash:

   The government buildings were freshly limed.

lime

³

[ lahym ]

noun

1. the European linden, Tilia europaea.

lime

⁴

[ lahym ]

noun

, Informal.

1. a shortened form of limelight.

lime

¹

/ laɪm /

noun

1. a small Asian citrus tree, Citrus aurantifolia, with stiff sharp spines and small round or oval greenish fruits
2. 1. the fruit of this tree, having acid fleshy pulp rich in vitamin C
   2. ( as modifier )

      lime juice

adjective

1. having the flavour of lime fruit

lime

²

/ laɪm /

noun

1. any linden tree, such as Tilia europaea, planted in many varieties for ornament

lime

³

/ laɪm /

noun

1. short for quicklime birdlime slaked lime
2. agriculture any of certain calcium compounds, esp calcium hydroxide, spread as a dressing on lime-deficient land

verb

1. to spread (twigs, etc) with birdlime
2. to spread a calcium compound upon (land) to improve plant growth
3. to catch (animals, esp birds) with or as if with birdlime
4. to whitewash or cover (a wall, ceiling, etc) with a mixture of lime and water ( limewash )

lime

⁴

/ laɪm /

verb

1. slang.
   intr (of young people) to sit or stand around on the pavement

lime

/ līm /

1. A white, lumpy, caustic powder made of calcium oxide sometimes mixed with other chemicals. It is made industrially by heating limestone, bones, or shells. Lime is used as an industrial alkali, in waste treatment, and in making glass, paper, steel, insecticides, and building plaster. It is also added to soil to lower its acidity.

Other Words From

• limelike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lime¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Spanish lima, from Arabic līmah, līm “citrus fruit,” from Persian līmū(n); lemon

Origin of lime²

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English līm; cognate with Dutch lijm, German Leim, Old Norse līm “glue,” Latin līmus “slime”; akin to loam

Origin of lime³

First recorded in 1615–25; unexplained variant of obsolete line, lind, Middle English, Old English lind; linden

Origin of lime⁴

Shortened form

Word History and Origins

Origin of lime¹

C17: from French, from Provençal, from Arabic līmah

Origin of lime²

C17: changed from obsolete line, from Old English lind linden

Origin of lime³

Old English līm; related to Icelandic līm glue, Latin līmus slime

Origin of lime⁴

of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Organic strawberries from Harry’s Berries are given a light dusting of California-grown guajillo chile, a squeeze of Key lime and a sprinkle of Big Sur sea salt before being slowly dehydrated.

From Los Angeles Times

Blood from the victim, asleep at the time and unprepared for the vicious assault, splashed onto the sleeves of the suspect’s lime green windbreaker, an FBI special agent claimed in an affidavit filed in U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

“This last year has been the best year of my life,” she says, sipping a glass of lime and basil infused water.

From Los Angeles Times

He is working with local officials and lawmakers on a plan to apply lime plaster, so more homes can be painted in the colour.

From BBC

Possibly citrus, I hardly ever cook without lemon, lime or a sour orange finding its way in there.

From Salon

Related Words

• adhesive
• cement
• glue
• mortar
• stucco