limn
pronunciation
How to pronounce limn in British English:
UK [lɪm]
How to pronounce limn in American English:
US [lɪm]
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- Verb:
- trace the shape of
- make a portrait of
Word Origin
- limn (v.)
- early 15c., "to illuminate" (manuscripts), altered from Middle English luminen, "to illuminate manuscripts" (late 14c.), from Old French luminer "light up, illuminate," from Latin luminare "illuminate, burnish," from lumen (genitive luminis) "radiant energy, light," related to lucere "to shine" (see light (n.)). Sense of "portray, depict" first recorded 1590s. Related: Limned.
Example
- 1. The imperial ambitions of a certain kind of swaggering , self-important american novel - to comprehend the totality of modern life , to limn the social , existential , sexual and political strivings of its citizens - start to seem misguided and buffoonish .