LIMP

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does limp mean? 

• LIMP (noun)
  The noun LIMP has 1 sense:

1. the uneven manner of walking that results from an injured leg

  Familiarity information: LIMP used as a noun is very rare.

• LIMP (adjective)
  The adjective LIMP has 2 senses:

1. without energy or will

2. lacking or having lost rigidity

  Familiarity information: LIMP used as an adjective is rare.

• LIMP (verb)
  The verb LIMP has 2 senses:

1. walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury

2. proceed slowly or with difficulty

  Familiarity information: LIMP used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• LIMP (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The uneven manner of walking that results from an injured leg

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

hitch; hobble; limp

Hypernyms ("limp" is a kind of...):

gait (a person's manner of walking)

Derivation:

limp (walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury)

limp (proceed slowly or with difficulty)

• LIMP (adjective)

Comparative: limper   
Superlative: limpest   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Without energy or will

Synonyms:

limp; wilted

Context example:

the afternoon heat left her feeling wilted

Similar:

weak (wanting in physical strength)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Lacking or having lost rigidity

Context example:

he felt his body go limp

Similar:

lax (lacking in firmness or tension; not taut)

Derivation:

limpness (a flabby softness)

• LIMP (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they limp    ... he / she / it limps   
Past simple: limped   
Past participle: limped   
-ing form: limping   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Synonyms:

gimp; hitch; hobble; limp

Context example:

The old woman hobbles down to the store every day

Hypernyms (to "limp" is one way to...):

walk (use one's feet to advance; advance by steps)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP

Sentence example:

They limp up the hill

Derivation:

limp (the uneven manner of walking that results from an injured leg)

limper (someone who has a limp and walks with a hobbling gait)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Proceed slowly or with difficulty

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Context example:

the boat limped into the harbor

Hypernyms (to "limp" is one way to...):

continue; go forward; proceed (move ahead; travel onward in time or space)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Something is ----ing PP
Somebody ----s PP

Sentence example:

They limp up the hill

Derivation:

limp (the uneven manner of walking that results from an injured leg)

 Context examples 

He had begun to limp, and this limp increased with the hours.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

He seemed to have grown limp.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

All day long he limped in agony, and camp once made, lay down like a dead dog.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

We limp into Circle City, and even I, Sitka Charley, am tired.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

But at an expense of threepence I soon refreshed myself completely; and, being in better spirits then, limped seven miles upon my road.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Symptoms may include: • A limp or paralyzed arm • Lack of muscle control in the arm, hand, or wrist • Lack of feeling or sensation in the arm or hand

(Brachial Plexus Injuries, NIH)

He was not clad in uniform, but he wore a high-collared brown coat, with the right sleeve hanging limp and empty by his side.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“Dear father,” cried Tita, still supporting the angry old man, as he limped up the curved oaken stair.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

"Hush! Don't say anything," she whispered, adding aloud, "It's nothing. I turned my foot a little, that's all," and limped upstairs to put her things on.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

He laid a heavy hand on my shoulder, and leaning on me with some stress, limped to his horse.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)