limbs

nounappendage

Synonyms for limbs

MOST RELEVANT

Antonyms for limbs

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 forlimbs

Finally his limbs straightened, and became perfectly rigid and motionless.

When he wakened the aches were gone from his limbs, and his mind was a happy blank.

I had to walk as fast as I could, and exercise my limbs all I could, in order to keep warm.

Even as he held it up for all of them to see, his limbs began to jerk and stiffen.

In short, there were creatures in which were combined the limbs of every species of animals.

But his limbs were strong and active, and well accustomed to exercise.

His feelings were habitually manifested by the agitation of his limbs.

We moved with difficulty, and I found my limbs so stiff as to be scarcely manageable.

The blood trickled from his forehead; he complained of pains in his side and limbs.

It is amazing that any mortal beings can journey on limbs so small!