limp´ness

limp´ness
limp1 «lihmp», noun, verb.
–n
a lame step or walk.
╂[< verb]
–v.i.
1. to walk with a limp: »

After falling down the stairs, he limped for several days.

SYNONYM(S): hobble.
2. Figurative. to proceed slowly and with difficulty: »

The plane limped toward the airfield.

╂[origin uncertain. Compare Old English lemphealt lame]
–limp´er, noun.
–limp´ing|ly, adverb.
limp2 «lihmp», adjective.
1. not at all stiff; ready to bend or droop; lacking stiffness: »

limp flowers, a limp body. This starched collar soon gets limp in hot weather.

2. Figurative. lacking firmness, force, energy, or the like: »

I am so tired I feel as limp as a rag.

╂[origin uncertain. Compare Icelandic lempinn pliable, gentle]
–limp´ly, adverb.
–limp´ness, noun.
Synonym Study 1, 2 Limp, flabby mean lacking firmness, both literally and figuratively. Limp suggests drooping or hanging loosely or, figuratively, lacking firmness and strength: »

My clothes hung limp in the humid weather. Hot weather always makes me feel limp.

 Flabby suggests being soft and weak, flapping or shaking easily or, figuratively, lacking forcefulness and vigor: »

She is so fat her flesh is flabby. He showed a flabby weakness of purpose.


Useful english dictionary. 2012.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • limp — limp·er; limp·ing·ly; limp·kin; limp·ly; limp·ness; limp·sy; limp·en; limp; limp·sey; …   English syllables

  • limp — limp1 [ lımp ] verb intransitive 1. ) to walk with difficulty because of an injured leg or foot: Ewing limped off the court with an ankle injury. He was limping slightly and he looked tired. 2. ) to move or continue existing with difficulty: The… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • limp´ly — limp1 «lihmp», noun, verb. –n a lame step or walk. ╂[< verb] –v.i. 1. to walk with a limp: »After falling down the stairs, he limped for several days. SYNONYM(S): hobble. 2. Figurative. to proceed slowly and with difficulty: »The plane limped… …   Useful english dictionary

  • limp´ing|ly — limp1 «lihmp», noun, verb. –n a lame step or walk. ╂[< verb] –v.i. 1. to walk with a limp: »After falling down the stairs, he limped for several days. SYNONYM(S): hobble. 2. Figurative. to proceed slowly and with difficulty: »The plane limped… …   Useful english dictionary

  • limp´er — limp1 «lihmp», noun, verb. –n a lame step or walk. ╂[< verb] –v.i. 1. to walk with a limp: »After falling down the stairs, he limped for several days. SYNONYM(S): hobble. 2. Figurative. to proceed slowly and with difficulty: »The plane limped… …   Useful english dictionary

  • limp — I [[t]lɪmp[/t]] v. i. 1) pat to walk with a labored movement, as when lame 2) to proceed in a lame, faltering, or labored manner 3) to progress with great difficulty 4) a lame movement or gait • Etymology: 1560–70; extracted from obs. limphault… …   From formal English to slang

  • flab´bi|ness — flab|by «FLAB ee», adjective. bi|er, bi|est. 1. lacking firmness; soft; flaccid: »flabby cheeks. SYNONYM(S): See syn. under limp2 …   Useful english dictionary

  • flac´cid|ness — flac|cid «FLAK sihd», adjective. 1. hanging or lying loose or in wrinkles; flabby: »flaccid muscles. Flaccid threads of ivy, in the still And sultry air depending motionless (Wordsworth). 2. Figurative. limp or weak: »a flaccid will. ╂[< Latin …   Useful english dictionary

  • spine´less|ness — spine|less «SPYN lihs», adjective. 1. having no spine or backbone; invertebrate: »A jellyfish is a spineless animal. 2. having a weak or diseased spine; limp. 3. Figurative. without courage, determination, or moral force; weak willed; feeble: »a… …   Useful english dictionary

  • limpness — limp·ness …   English syllables

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”