lime

I

[[t]laɪm[/t]]

n. v. limed, lim•ing

1) chem. a white or grayish white, lumpy, very slightly water-soluble solid, CaO, used chiefly in mortars, plasters, and cements, and in the manufacture of steel, paper, glass, and various chemicals of calcium

2) chem. a calcium compound for improving crops grown in soils deficient in lime

3) birdlime

4) to treat (soil) with lime or compounds of calcium

5) to smear (twigs, branches, etc.) with birdlime

6) to catch with or as if with birdlime

7) bui to paint or cover (a surface) with a composition of lime and water; whitewash

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Etymology: bef. 900; OE līm, c. MD, OHG, ON līm II

lime

[[t]laɪm[/t]] n.

1) pln the small, greenish yellow, acid fruit of a citrus tree, Citrus aurantifolia, allied to the lemon

2) pln the tree that bears this fruit

3) a greenish yellow

4) of the color lime

5) of or made with limes

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Etymology: 1615–25; < Sp lima < Ar līmah, līm citrus fruit < Pers līmū(n) III

lime

[[t]laɪm[/t]] n.

pln the European linden

Tilia europaea[/ex]

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Etymology: 1615–25; unexplained var. of obs. line, lind, ME, OE lind. See linden