Definition of limp

The origin of the word "limp" can be traced back to the Old English word "�lipan," which had two meanings - "to crawl" and "to lounge." The first meaning likely came from the verb "l Mathematics 1 Limit theory. However, the second meaning evolved into what we know today as "limp" in its modern sense, meaning "to move awkwardly or unsteadily, as if lacking strength in the legs." Over time, the word "limp" has taken on various meanings in different dialects and languages. In Middle English, "limpen" was also used to describe "to hang loosely or clumsily" and "to hang loose." In Old French, "lmprimer" meant "to overshoot" or "to dash headlong," which may have contributed to the later definition of "limp" as "to move hastily or uncontrollably." By the time the word "limp" appeared in Middle English literature, around the 13th century, it had already developed its modern sense of "to stagger or walk unsteadily because of weakness or injury." The word has continued to evolve over the centuries, with modern usages like "summary or concise" (as in "a limp explanation") and "colorless or unappetizing" (as in "limp vegetables") emerging in the 19th and 20th centuries, respectively. In conclusion, the origin of the word "limp" can be traced back to the Old English "�lipan," which had two distinct meanings that have contributed to its current range of definition. Over time, "limp" has developed separate meanings in different dialects and languages, highlighting the ongoing evolution of the English language itself.