[cogn. w. MHG. limphin (rare) of the same meaning. Cf. also LIMPHALT a.]
1. intr. To walk lamely, to halt. Also with about, along, away. Occas. with cognate object.
1570. Levins, Manip., 132/11. To Limp, claudicare.
1596. Shaks., Tam. Shr., II. i. 254. Why does the world report that Kate doth limpe?
1601. Holland, Pliny, I. 274. Of Hawks … the Circos … is lame and limpeth of one leg.
1648. Bp. Hall, Breathings Devout Soul, xxii. 34. That holy servant of thine … went limping away.
1709. Steele, Tatler, No. 80, ¶ 7. I must therefore humbly beg Leave to limp along the Streets after my own Way.
1787. Burns, Tam Samson’s Elegy, x. Owre mony a weary hag he limpit.
1806–7. J. Beresford, Miseries Hum. Life (1826), II. i. Limp along like a pig in a string.
1837. W. Irving, Capt. Bonneville, III. 259. His trail was followed for a long distance, which he must have limped alone.
1867. Dickens, Lett. (1880), II. 275. He limps about and does his work.
b. fig.; in quot. c. 1400, to fall short of.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 36. Sum lokyt ouer litle and lympit of the sothe.
1586. Stanyhurst, Descr. Irel., i. 11/2. in Holinshed. And if anie of these three [sc. marks of the subjection of a country] lacke, doubtlesse the conquest limpeth.
1586. J. Hooker, Hist. Irel., 105/1 (ibid.). Sir John Alen … was found to limpe in this controuersie.
1596. Shaks., Merch. V., III. ii. 130. So farre this shadow Doth limpe behinde the substance.
1768–74. Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1834), I. 566. The whole chain will become a rope of sand, and the consequence limp lame behind.
1821. Lamb, Elia, Ser. I. My Relations. I must limp often in my poor antithetical manner.
1887. Freeman, Exeter, iv. 90, note. The pentameter might perhaps have limped less if his office had been described by some simpler word.
2. Comb., as limp-verse; limp-legged adj.
1523. Skelton, Garl. Laurel, 625. With that I herd gunnis russhe out at ones,… It made sum lympe legged, and broisid there bones.
c. 1648–50. Brathwait, Barnabees Jrnl., Vpon the Errata’s. What tho my limpe-verse be maimed?
