from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Limn \Limn\ (l[i^]m), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Limned} (l[i^]md); p.
pr. & vb. n. {Limning} (l[i^]m"n[i^]ng or l[i^]m"[i^]ng).]
[OE. limnen, fr. luminen, for enluminen, F. enluminer to
illuminate, to limn, LL. illuminare to paint. [root]122. See
{Illuminate}, {Luminous}.]
1. To draw or paint; especially, to represent in an artistic
way with pencil or brush.
[1913 Webster]
Let a painter carelessly limn out a million of
faces, and you shall find them all different. --Sir
T. Browne.
[1913 Webster]
2. Hence: To picture in words; to describe in graphic terms.
[PJC]
3. To illumine, as books or parchments, with ornamental
figures, letters, or borders.
[1913 Webster]