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limp

(lĭmp)

intr.v. limped, limp·ing, limps

1. To walk lamely, especially with irregularity, as if favoring one leg.

2. To move or proceed haltingly or unsteadily: The project limped along with half its previous funding.

An irregular, jerky, or awkward gait.

adj. limp·er, limp·est

1. Lacking or having lost rigidity, as of structure or substance: limp, wet hair; an arm hanging limp over the side of the bed.

2. Lacking strength, vigor, or effectiveness; weak: limp political opposition.

[Probably from obsolete lymphault, lame, from Old English lemphealt : lemp-, hanging loosely + -healt, lame, limping.]

limply adv.

limpness n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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