from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Lime \Lime\, n. [AS. l[imac]m; akin to D. lijm, G. leim, OHG.
l[imac]m, Icel. l[imac]m, Sw. lim, Dan. liim, L. limus mud,
linere to smear, and E. loam. [root]126. Cf. {Loam},
{Liniment}.]
1. Birdlime.
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Like the lime
That foolish birds are caught with. --Wordsworth.
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2. (Chem.) Oxide of calcium, {CaO}; the white or gray,
caustic substance, usually called {quicklime}, obtained by
calcining limestone or shells, the heat driving off carbon
dioxide and leaving lime. It develops great heat when
treated with water, forming {slaked lime}, and is an
essential ingredient of cement, plastering, mortar, etc.
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Note: Lime is the principal constituent of limestone, marble,
chalk, bones, shells, etc.
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{Caustic lime}, Calcium hydroxide or slaked lime; also, in a
less technical sense, calcium oxide or quicklime.
{Lime burner}, one who burns limestone, shells, etc., to make
lime.
{Lime pit}, a limestone quarry.
{Lime rod}, {Lime twig}, a twig smeared with birdlime; hence,
that which catches; a snare. --Chaucer.
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