lime
lime Lexical Profile
lime Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A rounded, green citrus fruit with a highly acidic and tart juice, widely used as a flavoring in culinary dishes and beverages.
"She squeezed a wedge of fresh lime over her tacos to enhance the flavor."
A white alkaline substance (calcium oxide) obtained by heating limestone, traditionally used in building materials, agriculture, and chemical processes.
"The farmer spread lime over the acidic soil to improve the yield of his upcoming harvest."
British A large broad-leaved tree of the genus Tilia, native to the Northern Hemisphere, known for its heart-shaped leaves and fragrant yellowish flowers.
"We walked down an old avenue lined with majestic lime trees that provided thick shade."
• verb
To treat soil or water with a calcium compound to reduce acidity and improve fertility.
"The agronomist recommended that they lime the pastures before the spring rains arrived."
Word Nuance & Usage
The word 'lime' is a unique homograph representing three completely unrelated entities: a green citrus fruit, an alkaline mineral compound, and a broad-leaved tree (the linden).
• Rhymes for lime
Word Origin & Etymology
The three main senses of 'lime' have entirely distinct etymologies. The fruit derives from Arabic 'līma' via Persian 'līmū'. The mineral comes from Old English 'līm' (a sticky substance or cement). The tree is an alteration of the Middle English word 'lind' (linden).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.