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Glite Dictionary
limewood

limewood

5.8
Pale soft wood from a lime tree that people use for carving and sculpture
  • noun
  • /ˈlaɪmˌwʊd/
  • UK
translation icon : madera de tilo
  • limewood sculptors of Renaissance

Examples

  • The great flowering of this medium, memorably explored in Michael Baxandall's study The Limewood Sculptors of Renaissance Germany, was the half century between 1470 and 1520, a time of unprecedented social and artistic mobility in southern German cities.

    Academic text (2005)

  • The artist chose limewood for its smooth texture, making it ideal for intricate carvings.

  • Many sculptures in the museum are made from limewood, showcasing its suitability for fine woodworking.

  • Carpenters often prefer limewood due to its lightweight nature and ease of carving.

Synonyms

basswood
vslimewood
  • US
1 6.7

Light, soft wood from a linden tree used for carving and boxes

is more associated with fine woodworking and sculpture than with general utility
linden
vslimewood
7.9

Soft light-colored wood from a tree with heart-shaped leaves used for carving and boxes

is chosen more for fine carving and sculpture than broad practical uses

How Soft

balsa
3 5.6
limewood
  • UK
5.8
cherry
20 4.6
oak
44 1.0

Surface Forms

limewood singular
limewoods plural

Morphology

limewood = lime + wood (transparent) = lime + wood

The compound literally denotes the wood from a lime (linden) tree and this meaning is directly inferable from its components.

Etymology

Limewood means 'wood of the lime' tree, which in Britain is the same tree called the linden. This pale, soft wood was easy to carve, so many old sculptures and delicate objects were made from limewood.