LIMB, n. lim. [L. limbus, edge or border, extremity; limes, limit. The sense of limb is from shooting or extending.]
1. Edge or border. This is the proper signification of the word; but in this sense it is limited chiefly to technical use, and applied to the sun, moon, or a star, to a leaf, to a quadrant, _c. We say, the sun or moon is eclipsed on its northern limb. but we never say, the limb of a board, of a tract of land or water, _c.
2. In anatomy, and in common use, an extremity of the human body; a member; a projecting part; as the arm or leg; that is, a shoot.
3. The branch of a tree; applied only to a branch of some size, and not to a small twig.
4. In botany, the border or upper spreading part of a monopetalous corol.
LIMB, v.t. lim.
1. To supply with limbs.
2. To dismember; to tear off the limbs.
