Definition

1. Noun:
   • A major projecting part of an animal body used for movement or manipulation: This refers to the paired appendages of vertebrates, such as arms, legs, wings, or flippers.
   • A large branch of a tree: This refers to a primary division extending from the trunk or from another large branch.
   • A projecting part or extension: This can refer to any part that extends from a central structure, resembling or analogous to an arm or branch.
   • The edge of a celestial body: In astronomy, this is the outer circumference or apparent edge of the sun, moon, or a planet.
   • A graduated arc on a measuring instrument: This is the part of an instrument, like a sextant, marked with degrees for measuring angles.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Animal appendage):
  • The athlete lost a limb in the accident.
  • Birds use their forelimbs as wings for flight.
• Noun (Tree branch):
  • He climbed out onto a sturdy limb of the oak tree.
  • The storm broke several large limbs from the pine.
• Noun (Projecting part):
  • The robot's mechanical limb was capable of precise movements.
  • The northern limb of the bay is less developed.
• Noun (Astronomy):
  • Scientists observed sunspots near the solar limb.
• Noun (Instrument part):
  • The navigator adjusted the limb of the sextant.

Advanced Usage

• "To go out on a limb": To take a risk or put oneself in a vulnerable position by expressing an opinion or taking action.
  • I'm going out on a limb to predict they will win the championship.
• "To tear limb from limb": To violently dismember or destroy.
  • The old myth said the monster would tear its victims limb from limb.

Variants and Related Words

• Limbless (adj): Having no limbs.
  • Snakes are limbless reptiles.
• Limbed (adj): Having limbs (often used in combination).
  • A long-limbed dancer.
• Delimb (v): To remove the limbs from (e.g., a tree).
  • They had to delimb the fallen tree before moving it.

Synonyms

• Appendage: A projecting part of an animal or plant body.
• Extremity: The outermost part or section, such as a hand or foot (a part of a limb).
• Bough: A main branch of a tree (similar to, but often larger than, a limb).
• Branch: A division of a main stem.

Related Phrases

• Life and limb: One's life and physical well-being.
  • Firefighters risk life and limb to save others.
• Sound in wind and limb: In good physical health.
  • Despite his age, he is sound in wind and limb.

Noun

1. any projection that is thought to resemble a human arm
   • the arm of the record player
   • an arm of the sea
   • a branch of the sewer
2. the graduated arc that is attached to an instrument for measuring angles
   • the limb of the sextant
3. either of the two halves of a bow from handle to tip
   • the upper limb of the bow
4. (astronomy) the circumferential edge of the apparent disc of the sun or the moon or a planet
5. any of the main branches arising from the trunk or a bough of a tree
6. one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper