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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Limb Meaning: Arm, Leg, or Tree Branch? (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：arm or leg (limb)

limb 🔊

/lɪm/

a part of the body like an arm or leg, used for movement or support

Human limb arm and leg anatomy close-up photo

arm or leg 🔊

➕

/ɑːrm ɔːr lɛɡ/

A limb is one of the four major appendages of the human body used for movement, grasping, and balance. It includes the arms (from shoulder to hand) and legs (from hip to foot).

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'lim', meaning a body part or branch; related to Old Norse 'limr' and Gothic 'lim'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a 'limb' as a 'lime' tree branch that also bends like your arm.

📖 Example

After playing soccer all afternoon, his limbs ached from running and kicking. 🔊 After playing soccer all afternoon, his limbs ached from running and kicking.

🔗 Collocations

upper limb – the arm from shoulder to fingers

lower limb – the leg from hip to toes

phantom limb – a sensation that an amputated limb is still present

🔄 Synonyms

extremity (n.) – a part of the body at the end of a limb, such as a hand or foot; often used literally or medically

appendage (n.) – a body part attached to the main body, like an arm, leg, or tail; broader than limb

member (n.) – a part of the body, especially a limb; used in formal or literary contexts

🚫 Antonyms

torso (n.) – the central part of the body excluding the limbs and head

trunk (n.) – the main body of a person, not including the limbs

🌱 Derivatives

limbless (adj.) – without limbs, as in a snake or a disabled person

limbed (adj.) – having a specific number or kind of limbs, e.g., long-limbed

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'limb' dates back to Proto-Germanic *limu- and is related to Swedish 'lem' (limb) and Old High German 'lid' (member). In modern English, it is used both literally for arms/legs and metaphorically (e.g., out on a limb to describe a risky position).

Meaning 2：tree branch (limb)

limb 🔊

/lɪm/

a large branch of a tree that grows out from the trunk and holds leaves or fruit

Tree limb branch with green leaves in park

tree branch 🔊

➕

/triː bræntʃ/

A limb is a large, main branch of a tree that grows out from the trunk. It supports smaller branches (twigs) and bears leaves, flowers, or fruit.

📁 Category：Botany Research 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The squirrel leaped from one limb to another, gathering nuts for the winter. 🔊 The squirrel leaped from one limb to another, gathering nuts for the winter.

🔗 Collocations

tree limb – a large branch of a tree

strong limb – a thick, sturdy branch capable of supporting weight

limb removal – the cutting off of a large branch, often for safety or tree care

🔄 Synonyms

bough (n.) – a large main branch of a tree, often with leaves; more poetic than limb

branch (n.) – a woody part of a tree that grows from the trunk; limb usually implies a larger branch

ramus (n.) – a technical term in biology for a branch-like structure, e.g., in trees or nerves

🚫 Antonyms

trunk (n.) – the main stem of a tree, from which limbs and branches grow

root (n.) – the underground part of a tree that anchors it and absorbs nutrients

🌱 Derivatives

limby (adj.) – having many limbs or branches (rare, used for trees)