lime

A noun with multiple meanings, including a citrus tree and its green acidic fruit, a caustic substance produced by heating limestone, a sticky adhesive used for trapping birds, and various deciduous trees of the genus Tilia.

• 🇫🇷Nom avec plusieurs sens : agrume vert et acide ou arbre correspondant, substance caustique obtenue en chauffant du calcaire (chaux), colle adhésive utilisée pour piéger les oiseaux, et divers arbres feuillus du genre Tilia (tilleul).

1. Caustic substance from limestone B2 formal technical

   A white, caustic alkaline substance obtained by heating limestone, used in making cement and mortar.

   • The builders mixed lime with sand and water to create mortar.
   • Quicklime is produced by heating limestone in a kiln.
   • Lime is a key ingredient in traditional plaster.

   🇫🇷Chaux (substance caustique)

   Synonymes: burnt limecalxquicklime

2. White crystalline oxide C1 formal technical

   A white crystalline compound, calcium oxide, used in the production of calcium hydroxide and other industrial processes.

   • Calcium oxide, commonly known as quicklime, reacts vigorously with water.
   • The chemical plant produces lime for water treatment.
   • Lime is used in the steel industry to remove impurities.

   🇫🇷Chaux vive

   Synonymes: burnt limecalxquicklime

3. Sticky adhesive for bird catching C2 formal british

   A sticky substance smeared on branches to trap small birds, historically used for hunting.

   • The poacher used lime to catch songbirds in the forest.
   • Birdlime is an ancient method of trapping birds.
   • The use of lime for capturing birds is now illegal in many countries.

   🇫🇷Glu (pour attraper les oiseaux)

   Synonymes: birdlime

4. Lime tree (Tilia) B1 formal british

   A deciduous tree of the genus Tilia, with heart-shaped leaves and fragrant yellowish flowers, valued for its timber.

   • The lime tree in the park provides excellent shade in summer.
   • Lime wood is often used for carving and furniture making.
   • The fragrant blossoms of the lime tree attract bees.

   🇫🇷Tilleul

   Synonymes: basswoodlindentilia

5. Citrus fruit A1 formal culinary

   The small, green, acidic fruit of a citrus tree, used for its juice and zest in cooking and drinks.

   • She squeezed a fresh lime into her cocktail.
   • Lime zest adds a tangy flavor to desserts.
   • The recipe calls for the juice of two limes.

   🇫🇷citron vert (lime)

6. Citrus tree B1 formal

   Any of various related trees that bear limes, typically evergreen and cultivated in warm climates.

   • The lime tree in their backyard produces abundant fruit.
   • Lime trees require a frost-free climate to thrive.
   • They planted several lime trees along the orchard's edge.

   🇫🇷Citronnier (arbre à limes)

   Synonymes: lime tree

• limes plural form
• limes' possessive plural form
• lime's possessive singular form

A verb meaning to treat or cover with lime, or to catch using birdlime.

• 🇫🇷Verbe signifiant traiter ou enduire de chaux, ou attraper avec de la glu.

1. To catch birds using birdlime C2 formal british

   To spread a sticky substance (birdlime) on branches or twigs in order to trap birds.

   • The old method of liming branches is rarely used today.
   • Poachers used to lime trees to catch songbirds.
   • He learned how to lime branches from his grandfather.

   🇫🇷enduire de glu pour attraper les oiseaux

   Synonymes: birdlime

2. To treat with lime for growth B2 formal

   To apply lime (calcium-based material) to soil or plants to improve fertility and promote growth.

   • Farmers lime their fields every few years to balance the pH.
   • You should lime the garden before planting new vegetables.
   • The soil was limed to reduce acidity and boost crop yields.

   🇫🇷Chauler

   Synonymes: marlsweeten

• limed past participle
• limed past simple
• liming present participle
• limes third person singular