limbo
English
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA: /ˈlɪmbəʊ/, X-SAMPA: /"lImb@U/
- (US) IPA: /ˈlɪmboʊ/, X-SAMPA: /"lImboU/
- Rhymes: -ɪmbəʊ
- Hyphenation: lim‧bo
Etymology 1
From Latin limbus (“border”) (cognate with limp), notably in the (ablative) expression in limbo (“on the edge”).
Noun
Wikipedia limbo (countable and uncountable; plural limbos)
- (Roman Catholic theology, since circa 1300) The place where innocent souls exist temporarily until they can enter heaven, notably those of the saints who died before the advent of Christ (limbus patruum) and those of unbaptized but innocent children (limbus infantum).
- (by extension, since the 16th century) Any in-between place, state or condition of neglect or oblivion which results in an unresolved status, delay or deadlock.
- My application has been stuck in bureaucratic limbo for two weeks.
Translations
place for innocent souls
in-between state
See also
Etymology 2
Word of uncertain West Indian (notably Jamaican) origin, probably an alteration of limber as it is a physical agility test.
Noun
Wikipedia limbo (uncountable)
- A dance played by taking turns crossing under a horizontal bar or stick. The stick is lowered with each round, and the game is won by the player who passes under the bar in the lowest position.
Translations
dance with bar that is lowered
References
- “limbo” in Douglas Harper, Online Etymology Dictionary (2001).
- Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary, Springfield, Massachusetts, G.&C. Merriam Co., 1967
Anagrams
Dutch
Pronunciation
- IPA: /ˈlɪm.boː/
Etymology 1
From the Latin expression in limbo "on the edge".
Noun
limbo n (uncountable)
- Limbo, the place where innocent souls barred from heaven exist.
limbo m (plural limbo's, diminutive limbootje)
- Limbo, in-between place, state or condition of neglect or oblivion which results in an unresolved status, delay or deadlock.
Etymology 2
Word of uncertain West Indian (possibly Jamaican) origin, recorded since 1956, probably an alteration of limber as it is a physical agility test.
Noun
limbo n (uncountable)
- limbo, the low-dancing game below a bar