limner 
That family had lately got their pictures drawn by a 
Hunter, who travelled the country, and took likenesses for 
fifteen shillings a head. Goldsmith, Vicar, xvi. 
Limnetis (lim-ne'tis), . [NL., < Gr. hipvijTif, 
fern, of hi/ivqrr/f, living in marshes, < "fafivri, a 
pool, lake, marsh.] One of the three leading 
genera of LimnadiitUe (or Estheriida;), having 
Litnnetfs brackyitra ' upper left-hand fifjure, male ; upper right- 
hand figure, female in both the left side of the carapace cut away; 
lower left-hand figure, larval form ; lower right-hand figure, same 
further advanced. A1, antennules; A' and A%, antenna;; c, head; 
f'.bodyj D, carapace; M, mandibles; a', great plate covering mouth; 
0, eye. 
a bivalve carapace, numerous body-segments, 
and the foliaceous appendages of typical phyl- 
lopods. L. brachyura is an example. The males of these 
water-fleas may be even more numerous than the females, 
contrary to the rule among related forms. See Limnadii- 
dae, and cut under Estheriidae. 
limning (lim'ning), n. [Verbal n. of limn, v.~\ 
1. The act of delineating, as by means of pen- 
cil or brush. 2. That which is limned ; a de- 
lineation, literally or figuratively. [Rare.] 
There is nothing in either of the former two [panels with 
the portraits of the king and queen] which could not have 
been copied by a Fleming from a limning made in Scotland 
years before. Athcnceum, No. 8199, p. 221. 
limnite (lim'nit), n. [< IAmn((ca) + -tte 2 .] 1. 
A fossil of the genus Limncua or some simi- 
lar shell. Also lynmite. 2. Yellow ocher or 
brown iron ore, containing more water than 
limonite. It consists of oxid of iron 74.8 and 
water 23.2. 
Limnobates (lim-nob'a-tez), n. [NL. (Bur- 
meister, 1835), < Gr. Ai/ivt!, a pool, lake, marsh, 
+ pdrrK, one that treads, < fiaivctv, walk, step.] 
The typical genus of Limnobatida-, contain- 
ing such species as L. lineata of the United 
States. 
Limnobatidae (lim-no-bat'i-de), n. pi. [NL. 
( Douglas and Scott, 1865), < Limnobates + -idee.'] 
A family of aquatic Heteroptera, represented by 
the genus Limnobates alone, whose species are 
commonly found in ponds in Europe and North 
America. These water-bugs have the head horizontal, 
as long as the thorax, with the antennte inserted at the 
end of the widened front, the first joint stoutest and short- 
est, the third longest. 
Limnochares (lim-nok'a-rez), n. [NL., < Gr. 
fafivoxapfi*;, delighting in marshes (epithet of a 
frog), < 'Alfivti, a pool, lake, marsh, + x at P LV ! 
rejoice, delight (> x^PV, delight).] 1. A ge- 
nus of water-mites or aquatic acarids of the 
family Hi/drachnidw, or giving name to the 
Limnocharida;. Latreille, 1796. 2. A genus 
of heteropterous insects : same as Hydrometra. 
Limnocharidae (lim-no-kar'i-de), n. pi. [NL., 
< Limnochares + -fcto.J A family of tracheate 
Acarina, with the skeleton composed of scle- 
rites embedded in a soft skin, palpi raptorial, 
stigmata near the rostrum, legs of six or more 
joints, fitted for crawling organs, and habits of 
life wholly or partly aquatic. 
Limnococnlidest(lim-n6-kok'li-dez),B.j?Z. [NL. 
(Latreille, 1825), < Gr. Mftvi/, a pool, lake, marsh, 
+ Koxty (noxl-ii-), a small snail : see Cochlides.] 
A family of pulmoniferous gastropods, combin- 
ing the Limnacea and Auriculacea. 
Limnocyon (lim-nos'i-on), n. [NL., < Gr. Ufivri, 
a pool, lake, marsh, + KVUV, a dog.] A genus of 
fossil carnivorous mammals from the Eocene of 
America, belonging or related to the Hywnodon- 
tidai. 0. C. Marsh, 1872. 
Limnohyidae (lim-no-hi'i-de), n. pi. [NL., < 
Limnohyiis + -idw.]' A family of extinct Eo- 
cene hoofed quadrupeds of suilline character, 
founded by Marsh for the reception of the ge- 
nus Limnohyiis. 
Limnohyus (lim-no-hi'us), n. [NL., < G. M/un/, 
a pool, lake, marsh, + if, a pig, hog (= L. sus 
= E. sow 2 ).] The typical genus of Limnohyidce. 
0. C. Marsh, 1872. 
3460 
Limnophagse (lim-nof'a-je), n.pl. [NL., fern, 
pi. of HflMMMMtMnW: see limnopliagons.'} See 
Cyprinotlontifke limnophaga; under Cyprinodon- 
tidai. 
limnophagOUS (lim-nof'a-gus), a. [< NL. Km- 
nophagus, < Gr. M/tvy, a pool, lake, marsh (con- 
fused with L. limns, mud), + <j>ayeiv, eat.] Mud- 
eating; specifically, of or pertaining to the Cy- 
prinodon tidte limnophagai. 
Limnophila (lim-nof'i-la), n. pi. [NL. (Hart- 
mann, 1821), neut. pi. of limnophilus : see lim- 
itophilous.'] A division of pulmoniferous gas- 
tropods, containing the fresh-water basomma- 
tophorous forms : same as Hygropliila'*. 
Limnophilidse (lim-no-fil'i-de), n. pi. [NL., < 
Limnophihm + -idas.] ' A family of trichopter- 
ous neuropterous insects, or caddis-flies, typi- 
fied by the genus Limnophilus, having the max- 
illary palps of the male three-jointed, scarcely 
pubescent, and like those of the female. The 
habits of the larva; vary; some live in rapid streams, 
others in standing water, and others in moss at the roots 
of trees. Their cases are always free. The group is near- 
ly confined to the temperate and boreal regions of the 
northern hemisphere. 
limnophilpus (lim-nof 'i-lus), a. [< NL. limnoplii- 
lus, < Gr. Aifivq, a pool, lake, marsh, + ^i^oc, lov- 
ing.] Fond of ponds or pools, or living in them : 
said of various animals, especially mollusks and 
insects. 
Limnophilus (lim-nof'i-lus), n. [NL.: see lim- 
nopltilous.] 1. The typical genus of Limnophi- 
lid(E, having the anterior wings mostly narrow, 
with straight costa and truncate apical margin. 
It is abundantly represented in Europe, North America, 
and Asia by species which extend far north and mostly in- 
habit still water. Given in this form by Burmeister, 1839, 
after Limnephilut of Leach, 1817. 
2. A genus of reptiles. Fitzinger, 1843. 
Limnoria (lim-no'ri-a), n. [NL. (Leach, 1815), 
< Gr. hiftvupeta, in myth, a daughter of Nereus 
and Doris, < Ai/ivij, a pool, lake, marsh, sea.] 
The typical genus of Limnoriida:. L. lignorum or 
terebrans is the common gribble, a minute iso- 
pod highly injurious to submerged woodwork. 
Limnoriidae (lim-no-ri'i-de) ; n. pi. [NL., < Lim- 
noria + -ida;.] A family of isopods represented 
by the genus Limnoria; the gribbles. By means 
of their trenchant mandibles they eat their way into sub- 
merged wood, and are numerous enough in many waters 
to do great damage to wharves and shipping on both coasts 
of America and on European coasts. 
Liranospiza (lim-no-spi'za), n. [< Gr. ~f.ijt.vri, a 
pool, laKe, marsh, + amt,a, a finch.] A genus 
of fringilline birds : same as Embernagra. 
Limodoreae (li-mo-do're-e), n. pi. [NL. (Ben- 
tham and Hooker, 1833), < Limodorum + -eo;.] 
A subtribe of orchidaceous plants of the tribe 
Neottiece, with simple erect stems, usually leafy, 
and rhizomes without tubers. It embraces 5 gen- 
era, Limodorum. being the type, all terrestrial (not epi- 
phytic) herbs, growing outside the tropics in both hemi- 
spheres. 
Limodorum (li-mo-do'rum), . [NL. (Richard, 
1818), < L. limodoron, < Gr. 'M/j.6Sopav, Aetft66opov, 
a wild plant, not identified.] A genus of orchi- 
daceous plants of the tribe Neottiete, type of the 
subtribe Limodorece. There is but one species, L. ab- 
ortinum, which is found in the Mediterranean region and 
in central Europe. It grows to the height of 1 or 2 feet, 
and has a purplish stem and rather large purple flowers in 
a simple loose spike. It is believed to be partially parasitic 
on the roots of shrubs. It is sometimes cultivated. 
Limoges enamel. See enamel. 
limont, n. An obsolete form of lemon. 
Limonia (li-mo'ni-a), n. [NL. (Linnseus), < F. 
Union, < Pers. limiin, the lemon, citron : see 
lemon."] A genus of spiny shrubs from tropical 
Asia, belonging to the order Butacete, tribe Au- 
rantiece. They are distinguished by having flowers with a 
4- or 5-lobed calyx and from 8 to 10 stamens. The leaves 
are compound, with from 3 to 8 leaflets. The Javanese 
employ the extremely acid pulp of the fruits of L. acidis- 
sima as a substitute for soap, and on the coast of Malabar 
they are used medicinally. This species is sometimes 
called the musk-deer plant.. L. carnosa yields thekeklam- 
fruit of Bengal, and L. monophylla is known as Indian 
wild lime. 
limonin (lim'o-nin), n. [< NL. Umonum (F. li- 
mon), lemon, + -i 2 .] A bitter crystalliza- 
bl matter (C 2 2H5 O 13 ) found in the seeds of 
oranges, lemons, etc. 
limonite (li'mo-mt), n. [= F. limonite; as Gr. 
teifi&v, a marshy meadow, a meadow, + -ite 2 .] 
An important iron ore which is found earthy, 
concretionary, or mammillary and fibrous. Its 
brownish-yellow streak distinguishes it from hematite. 
It forms the bog-iron of existing marshes. Its color va- 
ries from dark brown to ocher-yellow. It consists of ses- 
quioxid of iron 85.6 and water 14.4. Also called brown 
hematite and brown iron ore. 
limonitic (ll-mo-nit'ik), a. [< limonite + -ic.'] 
Consisting of limonite, or resembling it in ap- 
pearance. 
Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica). 
limp 
Limosa (H-mo'sij), n. [NL., < L. limoxa, fern. 
of limosus, muddy: see Unions.'] A genus of 
wading birds of the family Scolopacida;, having 
the bill a little rocurved; the godwits. They are 
among the largest of the family, and resemble curlews, but 
the bill is not de- 
curved. L. cegoce- 
^Aataisthecomnum 
black-tailed godwit; 
L. h&mastica is the 
Hndsonian fcodwit ; 
L. fedoa is the great 
marbled godwit. 
There are other spe- 
cies. See godwit. 
limose (li'mos), 
a. [< L. limosus, 
muddy : see li- 
mott&j Same as 
limous. 
Limosella (H- 
mo-sel'a), n. 
[NL. (Linneous, 
1737), so called 
from their place 
of growth, < L. 
limits, mud.] A 
genus of small creeping or floating herbs of 
the order ScrophularincfB and tribe Gratiolete, 
characterized by having the leaves in clusters, 
the calyx 5-toothed, and the 4 stamens with 
the anthers confidently 1-celled. There are 5 or 
G species, found throughout the warm and temperate re- 
gions of the earth. L. aquatica is known as mudwort 
or mudweed. The American plant is the variety tenui- 
.I'l'lin, found in tidal mud northward on the Atlantic 
coast. 
Limosina (15-mo-si'na), n. [NL. (Macquart, 
1835), < L. limosus, muddy (see limose, limous), 
+ -inoi.] A genus of Muscid<e. Also called 
Coprina. 
Limosinse (li-mo-si'ne), n. pi. [NL., < Limosa 
+ -mo;.] A subfamily of birds of the family 
Scolopacida;; the godwits. G. B. Gray. 
limosis (11-mo'sis), n. [NL., < Gr. %i[t6(, hunger, 
+ -osis.~\ In med., a depraved or morbidly 
ravenous appetite caused by disease. 
Limosilgae (li-mo-su'je), n. pi. [NL.,< L. limns, 
mud, + SM<7cre,'suck.] In Merrem's classifi- 
cation of birds, a group of his Busticola;, includ- 
ing such birds as curlews, snipes, sandpipers, 
and plovers, and thus nearly coextensive with 
the Limieolie of authors. 
limoust (li'mus), a. [< ME. Unions, < OF. limeux 
= Sp. Pg. It. limoso, < L. limosus, muddy, slimy, 
< limits, mud, slime: see lime^."\ Muddy; slimy; 
thick. 
If water ther be lymov* or enfecte 
Admyxtion of salt wol it correcte. 
Palladius, Husbondrie (E. E. T. S.), p. 176. 
That country . . . became a gained ground by the mud 
and Kmotw matter brought down by the river Nilus. 
Sir T. Browne, Vulg. Err., vi. 1. 
limp 1 (limp), a. [Not found in ME.; appar. 
< AS. *lemp, in comp. lemphealt, lemphalt, earli- 
est form laempihalt, glossing ML. lurdus (see 
lourd), appar. ' awkward,' but lit. ' lame,' < *lemp 
+ healt, halt, lame; cf. Icel. lempinn, or lem- 
piligr, pliable, gentle. The adj. is prob. con- 
nected with the verb limp" 2 , q.v. Cf. limber 1 .'] 
1. Lacking stiffness or firmness ; weak in fiber 
or texture ; flexible ; limber ; flaccid : applied to 
things or persons. 
The chub eats waterish, and the flesh of him is not firm, 
limp and tasteless. /. Walton, Complete Angler. 
Limp linen betokens a desponding spirit. 
T. Winthrop, Cecil Dreeme, iv. 
Her verses on the bombardment of Copenhagen were 
... as limp and incoherent as Shelley's own of the same 
date. E. Dotcden, Shelley, I. 103. 
2. Lacking stability or firmness of character; 
inefficient; incapable. 
A kind Providence furnishes the limpest personality with 
a little gum or starch in the form of tradition. 
George Eliot, Middlemarch, I. 25. 
Limp case. See case?. 
Iimp 1 t, r. i. [< limp 1 , .] To be inadequate 
or unsatisfactory. Stanihurst. 
limp 2 (limp), v. i. [Not found in ME. or AS.; 
= LG. lumpen = MHG. KmpJien, limp; cf. G. 
dial, lampcn, hang down loosely, > lampeckt, 
flaccid, limp; of. mod. Icel. limpa, limpness, 
weakness ; W. llcipr, flabby, Hibiti, limber, Ilipn, 
limp ; perhaps ult. connected (as a nasalized 
form) with lap^, Skt.-\/ ?;&, hang down. Prob. 
connected with the adj. limpl, q. v.; but the 
relations of these and the other forms are not 
clear, the records being too scanty to deter- 
mine.] To move with a halting or jerky step; 
walk lame : often used figuratively: as, a limp- 
ing argument; limping verses. 
