A lime is a small, green citrus fruit with sour juice that is often used in drinks and cooking. The word can also mean a bright yellow‑green color.
“Lime” for the fruit comes from French “limon” and Spanish “limón,” which trace back to Arabic “līmūn” and Persian “limu.” The color name comes later, named after the fruit’s distinctive shade.
Sailors once carried limes on long voyages to prevent scurvy, which is why British sailors were nicknamed “limeys.” So every time you squeeze a lime into water, you’re using the same life‑saving trick that protected explorers’ health centuries ago.
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