limbo etymology

Etymology

• Latin: limbus, "boundary, edge"
• Old Occitan: lim, "boundary"

Meaning

Limbo refers to a place or state of existence:

• Theological (Roman Catholic): An intermediate place after death for those who die without baptism or in a state of venial sin. They are not punished but experience a natural desire for the Beatific Vision without its fulfillment.
• Figurative: A state of uncertainty, suspension, or neglect where someone or something is neither in nor out of a particular situation.

Origin

The term "limbo" originated from the Latin word "limbus," which primarily meant "boundary" or "edge." In medieval theology, the concept of limbo developed as a region beyond the boundaries of Hell but still within the realm of the underworld.

Over time, the term took on a wider figurative meaning to refer to states of suspension or uncertainty in various contexts, such as a waiting room, a legal process, or a mental state.

limbo relate terms

• limb

  Etymology The word limb comes from the Old English word lim which originally meant

• limp

  Etymology The word limp is derived from the Middle English word limpen which means

• limber

  Etymology The word limber comes from the Middle Dutch word limmeren meaning supple

• limb

  Etymology The word limb comes from the Old English word lim which originally meant

• limp

  Etymology The word limp is derived from the Middle English word limpen which means

• limber

  Etymology The word limber comes from the Middle Dutch word limmeren meaning supple

• limbus

  Etymology Latin limbus border edge Proto Indo European leimb rim edge Mea

• limb

  Etymology The word limb comes from the Old English word lim which originally meant

• limbo

  Etymology Latin limbus boundary edge Old Occitan lim boundary Meaning Limbo

• oblivion

  Etymology Latin oblivīsci to forget Ultimately from the Proto Indo European r

• demi monde

  Etymology French for half world Originally used to refer to the social class of court

• square

  Etymology of square Derived from the Old English word sċēare meaning a corner

• obscurity

  Etymology The word obscurity comes from the Latin word obscurare which means to da

• matrix

  Etymology The English word matrix is derived from the Latin word matrix meaning wo

• contentment

  Etymology Old French contentement from Late Latin contēntum neuter past participle

• bachelor

  Etymology The word bachelor comes from the Old French word bacheler which in turn c

• dyslexia

  Etymology dys Greek root difficulty abnormality lexia Greek root word speech

• bunting

  Etymology The word bunting has two distinct origins Old English bunt meaning a f

• gorgeous

  Etymology The word gorgeous comes from the Old French word gorgeois which means ric