Limb , n. [L. limbus border. Cf. Limbo, Limbus.]
A
border or edge, in certain special uses.
(a) (Bot.)
The border or upper spreading part of a monopetalous corolla,
or of a petal, or sepal; blade. (b) (Astron.) The
border or edge of the disk of a heavenly body, especially of the sun and moon. (c)
The graduated margin of an
arc or circle, in an
instrument for measuring angles.
Limb , v. t. 1. To
supply with limbs. [R.]
Milton.
2. To dismember; to tear off the limbs of.
Limb (l&ibreve;m),
n. [OE. lim, AS. lim; akin to Icel. limr limb, lim branch of a tree, Sw. &
Dan. lem limb; cf. also AS. lið, OHG. lid,
gilid, G. glied, Goth. liþus. Cf. Lith, Limber.]
1. A part of a tree which extends from the trunk and
separates into branches and
twigs; a large branch.
2. An arm or a leg of a human being; a leg,
arm, or wing
of an animal.
A
second Hector for his grim
aspect,
And large proportion of his strong-knit
limbs.
Shak. 3. A thing or person regarded as a part or member of, or
attachment to, something else.
Shak.
That little limb of the devil
has cheated the gallows.
Sir W. Scott. 4. An elementary piece of the
mechanism of a lock.
Limb of the law, a lawyer or an
officer of the law. [Colloq.]
Landor.
Hear it pronounced