Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “limbus” come from?

Limbus comes from Latin limbus, ultimately derived from Proto-Indo-European (s)lembʰ-, a root of uncertain meaning.

limbus (English): A border of an anatomical part, such as the edge...

Definitions

  1. A border of an anatomical part, such as the edge...

Ancestry of “limbus”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishlimbus—
2LatinlimbusA border, edge; hem, fringe, tassel
3Proto-Indo-European(s)lembʰ-to hang limply; to hang loosely, hang limply
Every word from Proto-Indo-European (s)lembʰ- →