Obs. Forms: 1 limpan, pa. t. lomp, pa. pple. lumpen, 2–5 limpe(n, 4–5 lympe(n; pa. t. 5 lympede, -ide, pa. pple. 4 lumpen. [OE. limpan str. = OHG. limphan, limpfan, limfan, limfen; also limpan (MHG. limpfen); cf. OHG. gilimpf suitableness, fitness, mod.G. glimpf moderation, lenity.]
1. intr. To befall, happen. Const. dative. Chiefly impers. or quasi-impers.
Beowulf, 1987. Hu lomp eow on lade leofa Biowulf.
c. 888. K. Ælfred, Boeth., xxxix. § 2 (Sedgefield). Þa yflan habbað ʓesælða, & him limpð oft æfter hiora aʓnum willan.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 412. Ȝif out limpeð misliche þet [etc.].
13[?]. E. E. Allit. P., B. 424. Nyf oure lorde hade ben her lodezmon hem had lumpen harde.
13[?]. Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 907. Hit was Wawen hym-self þat in þat won syttez, Comen to þat krystmasse, as case hym þen lymped.
a. 1400–50. Alexander, 3095. It lympys nott allway þe last be lykkynd to þe first.
c. 1420. Anturs of Arth., 615. Bot him lympede þe werse, and þat me wele lykis.
2. To belong, pertain, relate to.
858. Charter, in O. E. Texts, 438. Butan ðem wioda ðe to ðem sealtern limpð.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 41. We eow wulleð suteliche seggen of þa fredome þe limpeð to þan deie.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 50. Þet hwite creoiz limpeð to ou.
3. trans. To incur, meet with.
13[?]. E. E. Allit. P., C. 174. And who-so lympes þe losse, lay hym þer-oute.
a. 1400[?]. Morte Arth., 875. I hadde lefte my lyfe are cho hade harme lymppyde.
