*SET-U

English word origin

Etymology of lime

From Middle English lyme, lym, lime, from Old English līm, from Proto-West Germanic *līm, from Proto-Germanic *līmaz, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂leyH- (“to smear”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian Liem (“glue”), Dutch li

4 source sectionsExtended source reportWiktionary original ↗
In this entry · 4 source sections

The source etymologies

Wiktionary via Kaikki / Wiktextract

The source reports below are imported and unreviewed by *SET-U. Separate numbered origins and differing source variants are preserved; agreement within this extraction is not independent corroboration.

Source etymology 1

Original entry ↗
verb

To treat with calcium hydroxide or calcium oxide (lime). · To smear with birdlime. · To ensnare, catch, entrap. · To apply limewash.

noun

Any inorganic material containing calcium, usually calcium oxide (quicklime) or calcium hydroxide (slaked lime). · Any gluey or adhesive substance that traps or captures; sometimes a synonym for birdlime. · A limelight; any spotlight.

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

From Middle English lyme, lym, lime, from Old English līm, from Proto-West Germanic *līm, from Proto-Germanic *līmaz, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂leyH- (“to smear”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian Liem (“glue”), Dutch lijm (“glue”), German Leim (“glue”), Danish, Norwegian Bokmål, Norwegian Nynorsk, and Swedish lim (“glue”), Faroese and Icelandic lím (“glue”), Latin limus (“mud”).

Relationships mentioned by the source

These are extracted mentions, not a timeline or a verified sequence of immediate parents.

  • Root classification mention*h₂leyH-ine-pro
  • Inherited-form mentionlymeenm
  • Inherited-form mentionlīmang
  • Inherited-form mention*līmgmw-pro
  • Inherited-form mention*līmazgem-pro
  • Derivation mention*h₂leyH-ine-pro · to smear
  • Cognate mentionLiemstq · glue
  • Cognate mentionlijmnl · glue
  • Cognate mentionLeimde · glue
  • Cognate mentionlimusla
Inspect preserved source fields

Raw extraction fields are retained for auditing. Their order does not establish ancestry.

{
  "templates": [
    {
      "name": "root",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ine-pro",
        "3": "*h₂leyH-"
      },
      "expansion": ""
    },
    {
      "name": "inh",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "enm",
        "3": "lyme",
        "id": "quicklime"
      },
      "expansion": "Middle English lyme"
    },
    {
      "name": "inh",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ang",
        "3": "līm"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English līm"
    },
    {
      "name": "inh",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "gmw-pro",
        "3": "*līm"
      },
      "expansion": "Proto-West Germanic *līm"
    },
    {
      "name": "inh",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "gem-pro",
        "3": "*līmaz"
      },
      "expansion": "Proto-Germanic *līmaz"
    },
    {
      "name": "der",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ine-pro",
        "3": "*h₂leyH-",
        "t": "to smear"
      },
      "expansion": "Proto-Indo-European *h₂leyH- (“to smear”)"
    },
    {
      "name": "cog",
      "args": {
        "1": "stq",
        "2": "Liem",
        "t": "glue"
      },
      "expansion": "Saterland Frisian Liem (“glue”)"
    },
    {
      "name": "cog",
      "args": {
        "1": "nl",
        "2": "lijm",
        "t": "glue"
      },
      "expansion": "Dutch lijm (“glue”)"
    },
    {
      "name": "cog",
      "args": {
        "1": "de",
        "2": "Leim",
        "t": "glue"
      },
      "expansion": "German Leim (“glue”)"
    },
    {
      "name": "cog",
      "args": {
        "1": "da,nb,nn,sv",
        "2": "lim",
        "t": "glue"
      },
      "expansion": "Danish, Norwegian Bokmål, Norwegian Nynorsk, and Swedish lim (“glue”)"
    },
    {
      "name": "cog",
      "args": {
        "1": "fo,is",
        "2": "lím",
        "t": "glue"
      },
      "expansion": "Faroese and Icelandic lím (“glue”)"
    },
    {
      "name": "cog",
      "args": {
        "1": "la",
        "2": "limus",
        "3": "",
        "4": "mud"
      },
      "expansion": "Latin limus (“mud”)"
    }
  ],
  "links": [
    [
      "lyme",
      "lyme#Middle_English:_quicklime"
    ],
    [
      "lym",
      "lym#Middle_English"
    ],
    [
      "lime",
      "lime#Middle_English"
    ],
    [
      "līm",
      "lim#Old_English"
    ],
    [
      "*līm",
      "Reconstruction:Proto-West Germanic/līm"
    ],
    [
      "*līmaz",
      "Reconstruction:Proto-Germanic/līmaz"
    ],
    [
      "*h₂leyH-",
      "Reconstruction:Proto-Indo-European/h₂leyH-"
    ],
    [
      "Liem",
      "Liem#Saterland_Frisian"
    ],
    [
      "lijm",
      "lijm#Dutch"
    ],
    [
      "Leim",
      "Leim#German"
    ],
    [
      "Danish",
      "lim#Danish"
    ],
    [
      "Norwegian Bokmål",
      "lim#Norwegian_Bokmål"
    ],
    [
      "Norwegian Nynorsk",
      "lim#Norwegian_Nynorsk"
    ],
    [
      "lim",
      "lim#Swedish"
    ],
    [
      "Faroese",
      "lím#Faroese"
    ],
    [
      "lím",
      "lím#Icelandic"
    ],
    [
      "limus",
      "limus#Latin"
    ]
  ],
  "references": [],
  "descendants": [],
  "lexical": [
    {
      "pos": "verb",
      "glosses": [
        "To treat with calcium hydroxide or calcium oxide (lime).",
        "To smear with birdlime.",
        "To ensnare, catch, entrap.",
        "To apply limewash."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "transitive",
        "rare"
      ],
      "recordId": "bafcdceed24d1d74be693f244355ac5d18ad60f0f3ac548cb97385ef10b7e9bc",
      "rawRecordSha256": "ce33f72215a925e64d4c62a48fd2789e0c7ff0d8ae50999722eb4890b4592a10",
      "sourceRecordOrdinal": 784860
    },
    {
      "pos": "noun",
      "glosses": [
        "Any inorganic material containing calcium, usually calcium oxide (quicklime) or calcium hydroxide (slaked lime).",
        "Any gluey or adhesive substance that traps or captures; sometimes a synonym for birdlime.",
        "A limelight; any spotlight."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "countable",
        "uncountable",
        "poetic"
      ],
      "recordId": "bc98b9f88fa51a767c0e8d90fcf35ede0802838326c3fe40a3d1f63ca2d66aa1",
      "rawRecordSha256": "915b7a5bbd122c0dd49fe3165d2e5b289669640801cc187ff81d745de9687a33",
      "sourceRecordOrdinal": 784859
    }
  ],
  "omittedAuxiliaryFields": {
    "templates": 0,
    "links": 0,
    "references": 0,
    "descendants": 0,
    "lexicalRecords": 0,
    "lexicalSenses": 0,
    "glosses": 0
  }
}

Source etymology 2

Original entry ↗
noun

A deciduous tree of the genus Tilia, especially Tilia × europaea; the linden tree. · The wood of this tree.

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

Lime (17th c.) and line (16th c.) are alterations of obsolete lind, from Middle English lynde, from Old English lind, from Proto-Germanic *lindijō. The phonetic development is unusual, but it has been suggested that it began in compounds (loss of -d- perhaps before tree, the change to -m- before labials as in bark or wood). Doublet of linden, which see.

Relationships mentioned by the source

These are extracted mentions, not a timeline or a verified sequence of immediate parents.

  • Inherited-form mentionlyndeenm
  • Inherited-form mentionlindang
  • Inherited-form mention*lindijōgem-pro
  • Doublet mentionlindenen
Inspect preserved source fields

Raw extraction fields are retained for auditing. Their order does not establish ancestry.

{
  "templates": [
    {
      "name": "etymid",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "linden"
      },
      "expansion": ""
    },
    {
      "name": "qualifier",
      "args": {
        "1": "Tilia"
      },
      "expansion": "(Tilia)"
    },
    {
      "name": "inh",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "enm",
        "3": "lynde"
      },
      "expansion": "Middle English lynde"
    },
    {
      "name": "inh",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ang",
        "3": "lind"
      },
      "expansion": "Old English lind"
    },
    {
      "name": "inh",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "gem-pro",
        "3": "*lindijō"
      },
      "expansion": "Proto-Germanic *lindijō"
    },
    {
      "name": "doublet",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "linden"
      },
      "expansion": "Doublet of linden"
    }
  ],
  "links": [
    [
      "line",
      "line#English"
    ],
    [
      "lind",
      "lind#English"
    ],
    [
      "lynde",
      "lynde#Middle_English"
    ],
    [
      "lind",
      "lind#Old_English"
    ],
    [
      "*lindijō",
      "Reconstruction:Proto-Germanic/lindijō"
    ],
    [
      "tree",
      "tree#English"
    ],
    [
      "bark",
      "bark#English"
    ],
    [
      "wood",
      "wood#English"
    ],
    [
      "linden",
      "linden#English"
    ]
  ],
  "references": [],
  "descendants": [],
  "lexical": [
    {
      "pos": "noun",
      "glosses": [
        "A deciduous tree of the genus Tilia, especially Tilia × europaea; the linden tree.",
        "The wood of this tree."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "countable",
        "uncountable"
      ],
      "recordId": "5463d2fae11330ad6cca1582f32ce923befbefc28705675445656cda7e1bdd42",
      "rawRecordSha256": "a514256f92f8d7bf78657ded5a9aed5739a20a028aa7ec3e591b8cd132deaf02",
      "sourceRecordOrdinal": 784861
    }
  ],
  "omittedAuxiliaryFields": {
    "templates": 0,
    "links": 0,
    "references": 0,
    "descendants": 0,
    "lexicalRecords": 0,
    "lexicalSenses": 0,
    "glosses": 0
  }
}

Source etymology 3

Original entry ↗
noun

Any of several green citrus fruit, somewhat smaller and sharper-tasting than a lemon. · Any of the trees that bear limes, especially Key lime, Citrus aurantiifolia. · Any of several brilliant, sometimes yellowish, green colours associated with the fruits of a lime tree. · A particular one of those colours that has been standardized under this name, at least in some organizations' standards.

adj

Containing lime or lime juice. · Having the aroma or flavor of lime. · Lime-green.

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

Borrowed from French lime, from Spanish lima, from Arabic لِيمَة (līma), from Classical Persian لِیمُو (līmū, līmō), from Sanskrit निम्बू (nimbū, “lime”), ultimately from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *limaw or Munda. Doublet of lemon.

Relationships mentioned by the source

These are extracted mentions, not a timeline or a verified sequence of immediate parents.

This page abbreviates 1 auxiliary source items. The etymology narrative is not shortened. Omission counts are available in the audit fields below; consult the original for complete auxiliary material.

Inspect preserved source fields

Raw extraction fields are retained for auditing. Their order does not establish ancestry.

{
  "templates": [
    {
      "name": "wp",
      "args": {
        "1": "+ (fruit)"
      },
      "expansion": ""
    },
    {
      "name": "bor+",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "fr",
        "3": "lime"
      },
      "expansion": "Borrowed from French lime"
    },
    {
      "name": "der",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "es",
        "3": "lima"
      },
      "expansion": "Spanish lima"
    },
    {
      "name": "der",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "ar",
        "3": "لِيمَة"
      },
      "expansion": "Arabic لِيمَة (līma)"
    },
    {
      "name": "der",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "fa-cls",
        "3": "لِیمُو",
        "tr": "līmū, līmō"
      },
      "expansion": "Classical Persian لِیمُو (līmū, līmō)"
    },
    {
      "name": "der",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "sa",
        "3": "निम्बू",
        "4": "",
        "5": "lime"
      },
      "expansion": "Sanskrit निम्बू (nimbū, “lime”)"
    },
    {
      "name": "der",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "poz-pro",
        "3": "*limaw"
      },
      "expansion": "Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *limaw"
    },
    {
      "name": "der",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "mun",
        "3": "",
        "4": "lime"
      },
      "expansion": "Munda"
    },
    {
      "name": "doublet",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "lemon"
      },
      "expansion": "Doublet of lemon"
    }
  ],
  "links": [
    [
      "lime",
      "lime#French"
    ],
    [
      "lima",
      "lima#Spanish"
    ],
    [
      "لِيمَة",
      "ليمة#Arabic"
    ],
    [
      "لِیمُو",
      "لیمو#Persian"
    ],
    [
      "निम्बू",
      "निम्बू#Sanskrit"
    ],
    [
      "*limaw",
      "Reconstruction:Proto-Malayo-Polynesian/limaw"
    ],
    [
      "lemon",
      "lemon#English"
    ]
  ],
  "references": [],
  "descendants": [],
  "lexical": [
    {
      "pos": "noun",
      "glosses": [
        "Any of several green citrus fruit, somewhat smaller and sharper-tasting than a lemon.",
        "Any of the trees that bear limes, especially Key lime, Citrus aurantiifolia.",
        "Any of several brilliant, sometimes yellowish, green colours associated with the fruits of a lime tree.",
        "A particular one of those colours that has been standardized under this name, at least in some organizations' standards."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "countable",
        "uncountable"
      ],
      "recordId": "763571b1d8454244fd111b0ae60d0fbbec2789898967bcf4e732a18bc6773c8a",
      "rawRecordSha256": "10e6a9fde1f6d65a057dd993c9684e2df66aef438e56729d802e8dc7804a6d03",
      "sourceRecordOrdinal": 784862
    },
    {
      "pos": "adj",
      "glosses": [
        "Containing lime or lime juice.",
        "Having the aroma or flavor of lime.",
        "Lime-green."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "not-comparable"
      ],
      "recordId": "b51dd4f79fb679509015b2d32454ab5325bf84bf9589a038e43cf0c5b9995253",
      "rawRecordSha256": "608727587b9c29967555d5b73a17ccb528091b111695b28cd2efd68b1a5cbca7",
      "sourceRecordOrdinal": 784863
    }
  ],
  "omittedAuxiliaryFields": {
    "templates": 0,
    "links": 0,
    "references": 0,
    "descendants": 0,
    "lexicalRecords": 0,
    "lexicalSenses": 1,
    "glosses": 0
  }
}

Source etymology 4

Original entry ↗
noun

A casual gathering to socialize.

verb

To hang out or socialize in an informal, relaxed environment, especially with friends, for example at a party or on the beach.

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

Either a back-formation of limer or from the derogatory term limey, a term first given to British soldiers but also used by Trinidadians for American soldiers who used to hang out idle in Port of Spain during World War 2.

Inspect preserved source fields

Raw extraction fields are retained for auditing. Their order does not establish ancestry.

{
  "templates": [],
  "links": [
    [
      "back-formation",
      "back-formation"
    ],
    [
      "limer",
      "limer#English"
    ],
    [
      "limey",
      "limey#English"
    ]
  ],
  "references": [],
  "descendants": [],
  "lexical": [
    {
      "pos": "noun",
      "glosses": [
        "A casual gathering to socialize."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "Caribbean"
      ],
      "recordId": "d281faea64443af6c61129c290be8d49839fcb138bf17feb81a83fb75bb2dad7",
      "rawRecordSha256": "f1256c7efe249e9295de4994e200559889a4deba1cd5faca3062ae3bbd52c7ea",
      "sourceRecordOrdinal": 784865
    },
    {
      "pos": "verb",
      "glosses": [
        "To hang out or socialize in an informal, relaxed environment, especially with friends, for example at a party or on the beach."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "Barbados",
        "Caribbean",
        "Trinidad-and-Tobago",
        "informal"
      ],
      "recordId": "d3ee1f1df725ecb10dac9c60a6d0fde44997fc3053b26920f797d22ea148deee",
      "rawRecordSha256": "73e029363511549f978fafb664159c79c1d5a094dd45f322d81ecf2442e8546b",
      "sourceRecordOrdinal": 784864
    }
  ],
  "omittedAuxiliaryFields": {
    "templates": 0,
    "links": 0,
    "references": 0,
    "descendants": 0,
    "lexicalRecords": 0,
    "lexicalSenses": 0,
    "glosses": 0
  }
}

Where this record stops

This page does not supply an independently verified sound-change sequence, first-use manuscript or complete family tree unless a cited analysis explicitly establishes one. Missing detail here is a limit of this record—not a claim that humanity knows nothing more.

An older meaning does not determine what a word must mean today. Follow the sources, preserve disagreements, and keep ancestry separate from interpretation.

Contribute located evidence for lime →

Source and snapshot

Imported from Wiktionary contributors; extracted by Tatu Ylonen / Wiktextract / Kaikki.org. Selected fields are reformatted and grouped; wording, source identity and etymology sections are retained. CC-BY-SA-4.0 applies to the imported source material.

Dump: 2026-10-01 · Extracted: 2026-10-30. These are snapshot dates, not the word’s first attestation or the page’s revision date.

Source entry and bibliography ↗Wiktionary revision history ↗Acquisition and rights ledger
Machine-source provenance
Source SHA-256
5ff2c072f8099f2d2ce484bd6957bf179f046d2ad37bc36555edf8bb84cb5291
Import run
73216b9a9b78ed3830994bf853103716f5a4dc57099e371e9f8fdc468facca26
Permanent entry ID
w-bGltZQ