Word of the Day : February 13, 2021

limn \LIM\ verb

Definition

1 : to draw or paint on a surface

2 : to outline in clear sharp detail : delineate

3 : describe

Did You Know?

Allow us to shed some light on the history of limn, a word with lustrous origins. Limn traces to the Anglo-French verb aluminer and ultimately to the Latin illuminare, which means "to illuminate." Its use as an English verb dates from the days of Middle English; at first, limn referred to the action of illuminating (that is, decorating) medieval manuscripts with gold, silver, or brilliant colors. William Shakespeare extended the term to painting in his poem Venus and Adonis: "Look when a painter would surpass the life / In limning out a well-proportioned steed...."

Aired February 13, 2021

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