lime
1the small, greenish-yellow, acid fruit of a citrus tree, Citrus aurantifolia, allied to the lemon.
the tree that bears this fruit.
greenish yellow.
of the color lime.
of or made with limes.
Origin of lime
1Other words from lime
- limelike, adjective
Other definitions for lime (2 of 4)
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.
Origin of lime
2Other words from lime
- limeless, adjective
- limelike, adjective
- un·limed, adjective
Other definitions for lime (3 of 4)
the European linden, Tilia europaea.
Origin of lime
3Other definitions for lime (4 of 4)
Origin of lime
4Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use lime in a sentence
In rural and Indigenous parts of the country, you can still find ancient, sweetened drinks like pinolillo and tiste, made from cornmeal or rice and cacao, as well as agua de sapo, a refreshing concoction made from ginger, panela, and lime.
Unlike lime or lemon, oranges are sweet enough that you can include ample portions of the fruit itself, too.
Harness the bright sweetness of oranges in these 7 recipes | Kari Sonde | November 9, 2020 | Washington PostConsequently, there is a lime line in the bowl that won't go away.
Hints From Heloise: Keeping reusable grocery bags free of germs | Heloise Heloise | November 6, 2020 | Washington PostJust as in chelation therapy—which doctors use to eliminate heavy metals from the bloodstream in patients suffering from metal poisoning—citric acid binds to calcium and lime, which are abundant in hard water.
The one ingredient you need to clean the dishwasher and four other gross household items | Sandra Gutierrez G. | November 5, 2020 | Popular-ScienceFirst, soda lime sand and recycled glass is heated at the end of a pipe in her furnace, lovingly named “Fernita.”
So, so, the birds are limed:—Heaven grant that we do not soon see them stowed in separate cages.
The Saint's Tragedy | Charles KingsleyThe bodies of these malefactors are not allowed ordinary burial, but quick-limed, I believe.
Where Half The World Is Waking Up | Clarence PoeThe fat beccaficoes beloved of the epicurean fell by hundreds into the limed horsehair traps.
When Winter Comes to Main Street | Grant Martin OvertonClose the cock or valve next the boiler, and examine the boiler check valve; notice whether the pipe is getting limed up.
Farm Engines and How to Run Them | James H. StephensonIt is limed and fertilized to a considerable extent, and responds well to such applications.
British Dictionary definitions for lime (1 of 4)
/ (laɪm) /
short for quicklime, birdlime, slaked lime
agriculture any of certain calcium compounds, esp calcium hydroxide, spread as a dressing on lime-deficient land
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)
Origin of lime
1British Dictionary definitions for lime (2 of 4)
/ (laɪm) /
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
having the flavour of lime fruit
Origin of lime
2British Dictionary definitions for lime (3 of 4)
/ (laɪm) /
any linden tree, such as Tilia europaea, planted in many varieties for ornament
Origin of lime
3British Dictionary definitions for lime (4 of 4)
/ (laɪm) /
(intr) Caribbean slang (of young people) to sit or stand around on the pavement
Origin of lime
4Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for lime
[ līm ]
A white, lumpy, caustic powder made of calcium oxide sometimes mixed with other chemicals. It is made industrially by heating limestone, bones, or shells. Lime is used as an industrial alkali, in waste treatment, and in making glass, paper, steel, insecticides, and building plaster. It is also added to soil to lower its acidity.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Browse