Definition of Limbo

1. Noun. The state of being disregarded or forgotten.

Exact synonyms: Oblivion
Generic synonyms: Obscurity

2. Noun. An imaginary place for lost or neglected things.

3. Noun. (theology) in Roman Catholicism, the place of unbaptized but innocent or righteous souls (such as infants and virtuous individuals).
Generic synonyms: Fictitious Place, Imaginary Place, Mythical Place
Category relationships: Divinity, Theology

Definition of Limbo

1. n. An extramundane region where certain classes of souls were supposed to await the judgment.

Definition of Limbo

1. Noun. (context: 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''). ¹

2. Noun. (context: 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. ¹

3. Noun. 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. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Limbo

1. a condition of oblivion or neglect [n -BOS]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Limbo

limbers
limbi
limbi palpebrales
limbic
limbic brain
limbic systems
limbier
limbiest
limbing
limbless
limblessly
limblessness
limbmeal
limbo (current term)
limbolike
limbos
limbous
limbs
limbs of bony semicircular canals
limbus
limbus acetabuli
limbus alveolaris
limbus corneae
limbus fossae ovalis
limbus laminae spiralis osseae
limbus membranae tympani
limbus of bony spiral lamina
limbus of cornea

Literary usage of Limbo

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce (1916)
"Do you know what limbo is ? — he cried.— Do you know what we call a notion like that in ... Temple cried out scornfully — And that's what I call limbo. ..."

2. Longman's Magazine by Charles James Longman (1896)
"I. IT may seem curious to begin with Dante and pass on to the Children's Rabbits' House ; but I require both to explain what it is I moan by limbo ; no such ..."

3. The Poetical Works of S. T. Coleridge by Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1835)
"Lip touching lip, all moveless, bust and limb- He seems to gaze at that which seems to gaze on him No such sweet sights doth limbo den immure, Wall'd round, ..."

4. Northern Garlands by Joseph Ritson (1810)
"limbo. ' BY THE SAME AUTHOR. Tune, On a time I was great, now little I'm grown. I'LL tell you a story, if you please to attend, When my heart was afflicted ..."

5. Adventure Guide to the Florida Keys and Everglades National Park by Bruce Morris (2004)
"Gumbo-limbo Trail The half-mile Gumbo-limbo Trail also begins just past the Royal Palm Visitor ... Wild coffee, gumbo-limbo and orchids are easily spotted. ..."

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