limn Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb trace the shape of
    delineate; outline.
  2. verb make a portrait of
    portray; depict.
    • Goya wanted to portray his mistress, the Duchess of Alba

WordNet

Limn transitive verb
Etymology
OE. limnen, fr. luminen, for enluminen, F. enluminer to illuminate, to limn, LL. illuminare to paint. . See Illuminate, Luminous.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Limned ; present participle & verbal noun Limning
Definitions
  1. To draw or paint; especially, to represent in an artistic way with pencil or brush.
    Let a painter carelessly limn out a million of faces, and you shall find them all different. Sir T. Browne.
  2. To illumine, as books or parchments, with ornamental figures, letters, or borders.

Webster 1913