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DictionarylimeCalcium compound
noun / verb

lime

A calcium compound used to make mortar or treat soil and surfaces.

The worker mixes lime with sand to prepare the mortar.

Etymology
limeOld Englishsticky substance

Old English līm meant a sticky substance or binding material. The construction sense developed for the calcium-based material used as a binder in mortar and related applications.

More examples

  • They limed the acidic soil.
  • A bag of lime stood beside the shed.
  • The farmer is liming the field this week.

Forms

lime · limes · limed · liming