lime [limelimeslimedliming] noun, verb BrE [laɪm] NAmE [laɪm] noun 1. (alsoquick·lime)uncountable a white substance obtained by heating ↑limestone, used in building materials and to help plants grow 2. countable, uncountable a small green fruit, like a lemon, with a lot of sour juice, used in cooking and in drinks; the juice of this fruit •lime juice •slices of lime 3. (alsoˈlime tree)countable a tree on which limes grow 4. (alsoˈlime tree, ˈlinden tree, linden)countable a large tree with light green heart-shaped leaves and yellow flowers •an avenue of limes 5. uncountable = ↑lime green
Word Origin: n. sense 1 and v. Old English līm Germanic Dutch lijm German Leim ↑loamn. senses 2 to 3 mid 17th cent. French Provençal limo Spanish lima Arabic līma ↑lemonsense 4 early 17th cent. line Old English lind ‘lime tree’
Example Bank: •Serve the dish garnished with wedges of lime.
verb ~ sth to add the substance ↑lime to soil, especially in order to control the acid in it Verb forms:
Word Origin: n. sense 1 and v. Old English līm Germanic Dutch lijm German Leim ↑loamn. senses 2 to 3 mid 17th cent. French Provençal limo Spanish lima Arabic līma ↑lemonsense 4 early 17th cent. line Old English lind ‘lime tree’
