Obs. exc. Hist. Forms: 6 lyam-, 6–7 lime-, 7 leame-, lim-, erron. lyne-, line-, liam- (also 9 arch.), 7, 9 lyme-. [f. LYAM + HOUND.] A bloodhound.
1527. St. Papers Hen. VIII., IV. 464. A cowple of lyam houndes.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., V. ii. 25. But Talus, that could like a lime-hound winde her,… At length found out whereas she hidden lay.
1611. Cotgr., s.v. Mut, Chiens mut,… lyne-hounds, tearmed otherwise, Limiers de mut.
1616. Surfl. & Markh., Country Farm, VII. xxii. 673. This crie of hounds … is in no sort allowed to the liam hound, so long as he draweth in the string.
1624. T. Scot, Vox Populi, II. 17. I had my Leame-hounds ready in euery corner to draw after them dry-foote, and fetch the Authors Coram nobis.
1631. Brathwait, Whimzies, Forrester, 35. He can do miracles with his line-hound, who by his good education ha’s more sophistry than his master.
1657. R. Ligon, Barbadoes (1673), 98. There is nothing in that Countrey so useful as Liam Hounds, to find out these Thieves.
1674. J. Wright, trans. Seneca’s Thyestes, 45. So when the Vmbrian Lime-hound through the field Hunts on a Trayl; and in a Leash is held.
1801. Sporting Mag., XVIII. 100. One that leads a lime-hound for the chace.
1821. Scott, Kenilw., iv. He has the stanch lyme-hound to track the wounded buck over hill and dale, but he hath also the fleet gaze-hound to kill him at view.
1852. Kingsley, Andromeda, 446. Him Até follows avenging; Slowly she tracks him and sure, as a lyme-hound.
1897. Madden, Diary W. Silence, 22. The huntsman brought with hin his liam-hound, a pure-bred blood-hound used for finding and harbouring the deer.
b. fig. Applied to persons.
a. 1611. Beaum. & Fl., Philaster, IV. i. Oh, hee’s a pernitious limhound, turne him vpon the pursue of any Lady.
1656. S. Holland, Zara (1719), 30. Or a second Helen proud of the Lime-hound Paris.
c. As a heraldic cognizance.
1634. Harington, Orl. Fur., XLI. xxx. 344. His cosin had a Lyme-hound argent bright, His Lyme laid on his back.
