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Synonyms for limb

Grammar : Noun
Spell : lim
Phonetic Transcription : lɪm

Top 10 synonyms for limb
Other synonyms for the word limb

Définition of limb

Origin :
  • "part or member," Old English lim "limb, joint, main branch of a tree," from Proto-Germanic *limu- (cf. Old Norse limr "limb," lim "small branch of a tree"), a variant of *liþu- (cf. Old English liþ, Old Frisian lith, Old Norse liðr, Gothic liþus "a limb;" and with prefix ga-, source of German Glied "limb, member"), from PIE root *lei- "to bend, be movable, be nimble." The parasitic -b began to appear late 1500s for no etymological reason (perhaps by influence of limb (n.2)). In Old and Middle English, and until lately in dialects, it could mean "any visible body part."
  • The lymmes of generacion were shewed manyfestly. [Caxton, "The subtyl historyes and fables of Esope, Auyan, Alfonce, and Poge," 1484]
  • Hence, limb-lifter "fornicator" (1570s). To go out on a limb in figurative sense "enter a risky situation" is from 1897. Life and limb in reference to the body inclusively is from c.1200.
  • noun appendage
Example sentences :
  • It was as if Martin, himself, were being torn limb from limb.
  • Extract from : « Dust » by Mr. and Mrs. Haldeman-Julius
  • They were leisurely enough for Mr Verloc to recognise the limb and the weapon.
  • Extract from : « The Secret Agent » by Joseph Conrad
  • If wrong had chanced to her, I would have rent you where you stand, limb from limb.
  • Extract from : « Night and Morning, Complete » by Edward Bulwer-Lytton
  • Yet if I had caught him again I would have strung him up to the first limb.
  • Extract from : « The Cavalier » by George Washington Cable
  • Failing in that, it generally shears off a limb before it sheers away.
  • Extract from : « Punchinello, Vol. 1, No. 17, July 23, 1870 » by Various
  • On the contrary, I have often risked life and limb to save those who were in trouble.'
  • Extract from : « Micah Clarke » by Arthur Conan Doyle
  • Poor dear Misfortune, I wish it were in my power to add an inch of my limb to hers.
  • Extract from : « The Book of Khalid » by Ameen Rihani
  • If ever he praised a limb, a tint, a contour, it was solely from the artistic point of view.
  • Extract from : « His Masterpiece » by Emile Zola
  • Constance, on the morrow of Maurice's sudden death, was like one who has just lost a limb.
  • Extract from : « Fruitfulness » by Emile Zola
  • And Snip did go at him, as if he would "tear him limb from limb," as the story-books say.
  • Extract from : « Harper's Young People, August 10, 1880 » by Various

Antonyms for limb

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019