Definition of 'lime'

COBUILD frequency band

lime

(laɪm

)

Word forms: plural limes

1. variable noun

A lime is a green fruit that tastes like a lemon. Limes grow on trees in tropical countries.

...peeled slices of lime.

2. uncountable noun

Lime is a substance containing calcium. It is found in soil and water.

If your soil is very acidic, add lime.

Image of
lime

American English pronunciation

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British English pronunciation

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lime in American English 1

(laɪm )

nounOrigin: ME < OE līm, akin to Ger leim < IE base *(s)lei-, slime, wet and sticky, to smooth over > Gr leios, smooth, L limus, slime, mud, linere, to smear, levis, smooth, OE lam, clay

1. short for birdlime

a white substance, calcium oxide, CaO, obtained by the action of heat on limestone, shells, and other material containing calcium carbonate, and used in making mortar and cement, and, when hydrated, in neutralizing acid soil

a calcareous deposit from water inside pipes, pans, etc.

verb transitiveWord forms: limed, liming

to cement

to smear with birdlime

to catch with or as with birdlime

to apply lime to; treat with lime

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lime in American English 2

(laɪm )

nounOrigin: Fr < Prov limo < Ar līmaḥ < līm, citrus fruit > lemon

a small, lemon-shaped, greenish-yellow citrus fruit with a juicy, sour pulp, rich in ascorbic acid

the small, thorny, semitropical citrus tree (Citrus aurantifolia) that it grows on, originally native to S Asia

greenish yellow

adjective

made with or of limes

having a flavor like that of limes

greenish-yellow

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lime in American English 3

(laɪm )

nounOrigin: < earlier line < ME lind: see linden

linden

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lime in American English 1

(laim) (verb limed, liming)

noun

1. Also called: burnt lime, calcium oxide, caustic lime, calx, quicklime

a white or grayish-white, odorless, lumpy, very slightly water-soluble solid, CaO, that when combined with water forms calcium hydroxide ( slaked lime), obtained from calcium carbonate, limestone, or oyster shells: used chiefly in mortars, plasters, and cements, in bleaching powder, and in the manufacture of steel, paper, glass, and various chemicals of calcium

a calcium compound for improving crops grown in soils deficient in lime

a sticky material prepared from holly, mistletoe, or other plants, and smeared on twigs to catch small birds that light on it; birdlime

transitive verb

to treat (soil) with lime or compounds of calcium

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

to catch with or as if with birdlime

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

The government buildings were freshly limed

Derived forms

limeless

adjective

limelike

adjective

Word origin

[bef. 900; ME, OE līm; c. D lijm, G Leim, ON līm glue, L līmus slime; akin to loam]

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lime in American English 2

(laim)

noun

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

the tree that bears this fruit

greenish yellow

adjective

of the color lime

of or made with limes

Derived forms

limeless

adjective

limelike

adjective

Word origin

[1615–25; ‹ Sp lima ‹ Ar līmah, līm citrus fruit ‹ Pers līmū(n); cf. lemon]

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lime in American English 3

(laim)

noun

the European linden, Tilia europaea

Word origin

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

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lime in American English 4

(laim)

noun

informal limelight

Word origin

[shortened form]

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lime in British English 1

(laɪm

)

noun

1. short for quicklime, birdlime, slaked lime

2. agriculture

any of certain calcium compounds, esp calcium hydroxide, spread as a dressing on lime-deficient land

verb (transitive)

to spread (twigs, etc) with birdlime

to spread a calcium compound upon (land) to improve plant growth

to catch (animals, esp birds) with or as if with birdlime

to whitewash or cover (a wall, ceiling, etc) with a mixture of lime and water (limewash)

Word origin

Old English līm; related to Icelandic līm glue, Latin līmus slime

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lime in British English 2

(laɪm

)

noun

a small Asian citrus tree, Citrus aurantifolia, with stiff sharp spines and small round or oval greenish fruits

the fruit of this tree, having acid fleshy pulp rich in vitamin C

(as modifier)

lime juice

adjective

having the flavour of lime fruit

Word origin

C17: from French, from Provençal, from Arabic līmah

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lime in British English 3

(laɪm

)

noun

any linden tree, such as Tilia europaea, planted in many varieties for ornament

Word origin

C17: changed from obsolete line, from Old English lind linden

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lime in British English 4

(laɪm

)

verb

(intransitive) Caribbean slang

(of young people) to sit or stand around on the pavement

Word origin

of unknown origin

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lime in Hospitality

(laɪm)

Word forms: (regular plural) limes

noun (count) (noncount)

(Hospitality (hotel): Food and drink, fruit)

A lime is a green fruit that tastes like a lemon.

COLLOCATIONS: slice of ~

The customer wants a slice of lime in his drink.

Cooks use lime and other citrus fruits to add taste to dishes.

Slice lemons and limes into wedges for drinks.

Examples of 'lime' in a sentence
lime

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Season to taste with a little more salt and lime juice and serve.Squeeze in the remaining lime juice and season with salt and pepper.Equally as good is a lime blossom bath before bed.Return the drained onion to the bowl and pour over the lime juice.These should be shiny and lime green in colour.The Dragons have lost all three matches when wearing their charcoal and lime green strip.It's the perfect antidote to modern life: a place to inhale the scent of lime trees and feel your mind and body relax.Sit two prawn skewers on top and add a lime wedge for squeezing to each one.It tasted bitter and salty, like lime.This one is a classic: dry and refreshing with tangy, lemon and lime fruit.

Word lists with
lime

fruit tree

Quick word challenge

Quiz Review

Question: 1

Score: 0 / 5

Which fruit am I?

any of the prickly shrubs of the rosaceous genus Rubus, such as R. strigosus of E North America and R. idaeus of Europe, that have pinkish-white flowers and typically red berry-like fruits (drupelets)

blackberry or (Scot.) bramble raspberry strawberry

Which fruit am I?

an evergreen oleaceous tree, Olea europaea, of the Mediterranean region but cultivated elsewhere, having white fragrant flowers, and edible shiny black fruits

apple loquat olive

Which fruit am I?

any of several heart-shaped varieties of sweet cherry that have firm flesh

bigarreau cherry cherry prune

Which fruit am I?

a tropical Asian anacardiaceous evergreen tree, Mangifera indica, cultivated in the tropics for its fruit

carambola mango pineapple

Which fruit am I?

a rosaceous tree, Prunus armeniaca, native to Africa and W Asia, but widely cultivated for its edible fruit

apple apricot damson

Your score: