lime

1
[ lahym ]
/ laɪm /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR lime ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

Also called burnt lime, calcium oxide, caustic lime, calx, quicklime. 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.
a calcium compound for improving crops grown in soils deficient in lime.
birdlime.

verb (used with object), limed, lim·ing.

Origin of lime

1
before 900; Middle English, Old English līm; cognate with Dutch lijm, German Leim, Old Norse līm glue, Latin līmus slime; akin to loam

OTHER WORDS FROM lime

lime·less, adjective lime·like, adjective un·limed, adjective

Words nearby lime

limbo, limbourg, limburg, limburger, limbus, lime, lime burner, lime glass, lime green, lime liniment, lime pit

Definition for lime (2 of 4)

lime 2
[ lahym ]
/ laɪm /

noun

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

adjective

of the color lime.
of or made with limes.

Origin of lime

2
1615–25; < Spanish lima < Arabic līmah, līm citrus fruit < Persian līmū(n); cf. lemon

OTHER WORDS FROM lime

lime·less, adjective lime·like, adjective

Definition for lime (3 of 4)

lime 3
[ lahym ]
/ laɪm /

noun

the European linden, Tilia europaea.

Origin of lime

3
1615–25; unexplained variant of obsolete line, lind, Middle English, Old English lind. See linden

Definition for lime (4 of 4)

lime 4
[ lahym ]
/ laɪm /

noun Informal.

limelight.

Origin of lime

4
shortened form

Words related to lime

olive, blue-green, adhesive, cement, glue, mortar, stucco, plaster, mud, sand, impregnate, enrich, mulch, compost, propagate, inseminate, germinate, pollinate, fir, sap

Example sentences from the Web for lime

British Dictionary definitions for lime (1 of 4)

lime 1
/ (laɪm) /

noun

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

verb (tr)

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

Word Origin for lime

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

British Dictionary definitions for lime (2 of 4)

lime 2
/ (laɪm) /

noun

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

adjective

having the flavour of lime fruit

Word Origin for lime

C17: from French, from Provençal, from Arabic līmah

British Dictionary definitions for lime (3 of 4)

lime 3
/ (laɪm) /

noun

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

Word Origin for lime

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

British Dictionary definitions for lime (4 of 4)

lime 4
/ (laɪm) /

verb

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

Word Origin for lime

of unknown origin

Scientific definitions for lime

lime
[ līm ]

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.