Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

(Limbe,) Lymb(e, n. Also: lyme. [North. ME. lymbe (c 1450) Limbo, and e.m.E. limb(e (1593) an edge (in technical use), F. limbe and see Limbus.] Limbo; the region on the border of Hell, the abode of the just patriarchs and of unbaptized infants. = Limbo.Lymb of the fathers = L. limbus patrum, see Limbus n. 1490 Irland Mir. I. 105/9.
The haly faderis of the lymbe has gret joy of jt [sc. Christ's conception] Ib. 115/18.
All gud persounis jn erd and in the lymbe and bosum of Abrahame a1508 Kennedy Pass. Christ 1147.
The fad[er]is that lay into the lymbe In gret mirknes be ald Adames syn 1513 Doug. vi. Prol. 92.
Ane other place quhilk purgator representis … the lymbe of faderis ald, With lymbus puerorum a1568 Bell. Bann. MS. 1 a/23. 1528 Lynd. Dreme 360. ?a1500 Remembr. Passion 617.
The haly faderis tane furth of the lyme and led to paradice Arundel MS. 274/18.
God … That hes thi lyne relaxit of the lymbe [: dym, hyme (= hymn)] 1588 King Cat. 8.
The fatheris, quha war abyddand in the lymbe and place of rest 1600 Hamilton Facile Tr. 206.
Thay can not vtherwayes mainteine thair damnable heresie agains purgatorie and the lymbe of the patriarches