To remove lime or calcium compounds from something, especially in industrial processes like leather tanning or water treatment.
From de- (remove) + lime (calcium compound, from Old English lim). Used since at least the 18th century in leather production, where deliming is a crucial step in preparing hides for tanning.
Deliming is a hidden chemical step in making leather—after hides are treated with harsh lime to remove hair, workers have to carefully delime them so the leather doesn't become brittle and fall apart over time.
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