limp

== English == === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /lɪmp/ Rhymes: -ɪmp === Etymology 1 === From Middle English limpen (“to fall short”), from Old English limpan, from Proto-West Germanic *limpan, from Proto-Germanic *limpaną (“to hang down”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)lemb-, *(s)lembʰ- (“to hang loosely, hang limply”). Cognate with Low German lumpen (“to limp”), Middle High German limpfen (“to hobble, limp”), dialectal German lampen (“to hang down loosely”), Icelandic limpa (“limpness, weakness”). ==== Verb ==== limp (third-person singular simple present limps, present participle limping, simple past and past participle limped) (intransitive) To walk lamely, as if favoring one leg. (intransitive, figurative, of a vehicle) To travel with a malfunctioning system of propulsion. (intransitive, figurative) To move or proceed irregularly. (poker slang, intransitive) To call, particularly in an unraised pot pre-flop. ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Translations ===== ==== Noun ==== limp (plural limps) An irregular, jerky or awkward gait. A scraper for removing poor ore or refuse from the sieve. ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Translations ===== === Etymology 2 === From Middle English *limp, *lemp, from Old English *lemp (recorded only in compound lemphealt (“limping”), from Proto-West Germanic *limpan, from Proto-Germanic *limpaną (“to hang down”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)lemb-, *(s)lembʰ- (“to hang loosely, hang limply”). Cognate with German lampecht (“flaccid, limp”), Icelandic lempinn, lempiligur (“pliable, gentle”). See above. ==== Adjective ==== limp (comparative limper, superlative limpest) Flaccid; flabby, resembling flesh. Lacking stiffness; floppy, flimsy. a limp rope Soft; weak, in special physically weak. (slang, of a penis) Not erect. (slang, of a man) Not having an erection. ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Translations ===== ==== Verb ==== limp (third-person singular simple present limps, present participle limping, simple past and past participle limped) (intransitive, stative) To be inadequate or unsatisfactory. ==== Noun ==== limp (plural limps) A scraper of board or sheet-iron shaped like half the head of a small cask, used for scraping the ore off the sieve in the operation of hand-jigging. === Etymology 3 === From Middle English limpen, from Old English limpan (“to happen, occur, exist, belong to, suit, befit, concern”). Cognate with Scots limp (“to chance to be, come”), Middle Dutch limpen (“to happen”), Middle Low German gelimpen (“to moderate, treat mildly”), Middle High German limfen (“to suit, become”). ==== Verb ==== limp (third-person singular simple present limps, present participle limping, simple past lamp or limped, past participle lump or limped) (obsolete, intransitive) To happen; befall; chance. (obsolete, transitive) To come upon; meet. ===== Derived terms ===== belimp === Etymology 4 === ==== Alternative forms ==== Limp ==== Phrase ==== limp (historical) Acronym of Louis XIV, James II, Queen Mary of Modena and the Prince of Wales (a code-word among Jacobites) === References === === Anagrams === IPML, impl, pilm, plim == Dalmatian == === Alternative forms === linp === Etymology === From a derivative of Latin lampas. Compare Italian lampo. === Noun === limp m lightning