lime
Meanings
Plural: limes
Noun
- a caustic substance produced by heating limestone
- a white crystalline oxide used in the production of calcium hydroxide
- a sticky adhesive that is smeared on small branches to capture small birds
- any of various related trees bearing limes
- any of various deciduous trees of the genus Tilia with heart-shaped leaves and drooping cymose clusters of yellowish often fragrant flowers; several yield valuable timber
- the green acidic fruit of any of various lime trees
- Any inorganic material containing calcium, usually calcium oxide (quicklime) or calcium hydroxide (slaked lime).
- Any gluey or adhesive substance that traps or captures; sometimes a synonym for birdlime.
- A limelight; any spotlight.
- A deciduous tree of the genus Tilia, especially Tilia × europaea; the linden tree.
- The wood of this tree.
- Any of several green citrus fruit, somewhat smaller and sharper-tasting than a lemon.
- Any of the trees that bear limes, especially Key lime, Citrus aurantiifolia.
- Any of several brilliant, sometimes yellowish, green colours associated with the fruits of a lime tree.
- Any of several brilliant, sometimes yellowish, green colours associated with the fruits of a lime tree.
- A particular one of those colours that has been standardized under this name, at least in some organizations' standards.
- A fan fiction story which contains sexual references, but stops short of full, explicit descriptions of sexual activity (coined by analogy with lemon).
- A casual gathering to socialize.
- Alternative form of lyam (“a leash”).
Verb
- spread birdlime on branches to catch birds
- cover with lime so as to induce growth
- "lime the lawn"
- To treat with calcium hydroxide or calcium oxide (lime).
- To smear with birdlime.
- To smear with birdlime.
- To ensnare, catch, entrap.
- To apply limewash.
- To hang out or socialize in an informal, relaxed environment, especially with friends, for example at a party or on the beach.
Adj
- Containing lime or lime juice.
- Having the aroma or flavor of lime.
- Lime-green.
Origin / Etymology
From Middle English lyme, lym, lime, from Old English līm, from Proto-West Germanic *līm, from Proto-Germanic *līmaz, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂leyH- (“to smear”).
Cognate with Saterland Frisian Liem (“glue”), Dutch lijm, German Leim (“glue”), Danish lim (from Old Norse lím), Latin limus (“mud”).
Synonyms
basswood, birdlime, burnt lime, calcined lime, calcium hydrate, calcium hydroxide, calcium oxide, calx, caustic lime, Citrus aurantifolia, fluxing lime, hydrated lime, lime green, lime hydrate, lime tree, linden, linden tree, quicklime, slaked lime, unslaked lime
Scrabble Score: 6
lime is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL wordlime is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
lime is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary