limb

nounappendage

Synonyms for limb

noun appendage

Antonyms for limb

whole

Word Origin & History

"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."

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.

Example Sentences for limb

It was as if Martin, himself, were being torn limb from limb.

They were leisurely enough for Mr Verloc to recognise the limb and the weapon.

If wrong had chanced to her, I would have rent you where you stand, limb from limb.

Yet if I had caught him again I would have strung him up to the first limb.

Failing in that, it generally shears off a limb before it sheers away.

On the contrary, I have often risked life and limb to save those who were in trouble.'

Poor dear Misfortune, I wish it were in my power to add an inch of my limb to hers.

If ever he praised a limb, a tint, a contour, it was solely from the artistic point of view.

Constance, on the morrow of Maurice's sudden death, was like one who has just lost a limb.

And Snip did go at him, as if he would "tear him limb from limb," as the story-books say.

limb

Synonyms for limb

Antonyms for limb

edge

edges

extremities

extremity

leg

limb

Synonyms for limb

Antonyms for limb

More words related to limb

bough

edge

edges

extremities

extremity

leg