[lim] 
| 1. | a part or member of an animal body distinct from the head and trunk, as a leg, arm, or wing: the lower limbs; artificial limbs. |
| 2. | a large or main branch of a tree. |
| 3. | a projecting part or member: the four limbs of a cross. |
| 4. | a person or thing regarded as a part, member, branch, offshoot, or scion of something: a limb of the central committee. |
| 5. | Archery. the upper or lower part of a bow. |
| 6. | Informal. a mischievous child, imp, or young scamp. |
| 7. | to cut the limbs from (a felled tree). |
| 8. | out on a limb, in a dangerous or compromising situation; vulnerable: The company overextended itself financially and was soon out on a limb. |
limb (lĭm)
n.
One of the paired jointed extremities of the body; an arm or a leg.
A segment of such a jointed structure.
limb (lĭm) Pronunciation Key
|
out on a limb
In a difficult, awkward, or vulnerable position, as in I lodged a complaint about low salaries, but the people who had supported me left me out on a limb. This expression alludes to an animal climbing out on the limb of a tree and then being afraid or unable to retreat. [Late 1800s]