lime

Meaning

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable) Any inorganic material containing calcium, usually calcium oxide (quicklime) or calcium hydroxide (slaked lime).
2. (countable, poetic, uncountable) Any gluey or adhesive substance that traps or captures; sometimes a synonym for birdlime.
3. (countable, uncountable) A limelight; any spotlight.

Verb

1. (transitive) To treat with calcium hydroxide or calcium oxide (lime).
2. (transitive) To smear with birdlime.
3. (rare, transitive) To smear with birdlime.
4. (transitive) To apply limewash.

Adj

1. (not-comparable) Containing lime or lime juice.
2. (not-comparable) Having the aroma or flavor of lime.
3. (not-comparable) Lime-green.

Verb

To hang out or socialize in an informal, relaxed environment, especially with friends, for example at a party or on the beach.

Synonyms

calcium

linden

chalk

lemon

🍋

lime tree

birdlime

whitewash

quicklime

limestone

basswood

slaked lime

calcium oxide

mortar

calcium hydroxide

caustic lime

citron

linden tree

unslaked lime

citrus

Citrus aurantifolia

calx

burnt lime

basswood

calcareous

citrus fruit

lime hydrate

limy

plaster

calcium hydrate

hydrated lime

Tilia

calcined lime

fluxing lime

key lime

linden

linden-tree

mistletoe

cement

negus

oblate

lime cordial

catechu

quick lime

calcimine

tartar

unquenchable

calcify

calciferous

bird-lime

limescale

Translations

chaux

Kalk

tilleul

lima

cal

tiglio

calce

lime

lima

Linde

Limette

Limone

kalk

limetta

Pronounced as (IPA)

/laɪm/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: lyme

Inherited from Old English: līm

Cognate with Saterland Frisian: Liem

Cognate with Dutch: lijm

Cognate with German: Leim

Cognate with Danish: lim

Cognate with Old Norse: lím

Cognate with Latin: limus

Inherited from Middle English: lynde

Inherited from Old English: lind

In summary

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”).