Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Language: Old English
Origin: lim

limb

 noun
     
Related topics: Biology, Plants
limb [countable]
1

out on a limb

alone and without help or support:
All the other countries signed the agreement, leaving Britain out on a limb.
He'd gone out on a limb (=taken a risk) to help us.
2HB an arm or leg
3

strong-limbed/long-limbed etc

HBH having strong, long etc arms and legs
4HBP a large branch of a tree

➔ risk life and limb

at risk2 (1)

; ➔ tear somebody limb from limb

at tear2 (9)
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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