Definition of limb

The word "limb" originates from Old English "lim", which referred to a limb or arm of a tree. This sense of the word was later extended to refer to a branch or bough of a tree. In Middle English (circa 1100-1500 AD), the word "limb" took on a new meaning, referring to a human arm or leg. This sense of the word is thought to have arisen from the idea that the arms and legs of a person resemble the branches of a tree. The word "limb" has since evolved to have various meanings in different contexts. In anatomy, it refers to a human arm or leg. In botany, it refers to a branch or bough of a tree. In some figurative senses, it can refer to a part or extension of something, such as a limb of a government or a limb of a corporation. Despite its changes in meaning over time, the word "limb" retains its connection to the idea of a tree branch or appendage.