资料来源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Limning \Lim"ning\ (l[i^]m"n[i^]ng or l[i^]m"[i^]ng), n.
   The act, process, or art of one who limns; the picture or
   decoration so produced.

         Adorned with illumination which we now call limning.
                                                  --Wood.

Limn \Limn\ (l[i^]m), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Limned} (l[i^]md); p.
   pr. & vb. n. {Limning} (l[i^]m"n[i^]ng or l[i^]m"[i^]ng).]
   [OE. limnen, fr. luminen, for enluminen, F. enluminer to
   illuminate, to limn, LL. illuminare to paint. [root]122. See
   {Illuminate}, {Luminous}.]
   1. To draw or paint; especially, to represent in an artistic
      way with pencil or brush.

            Let a painter carelessly limn out a million of
            faces, and you shall find them all different. --Sir
                                                  T. Browne.

   2. To illumine, as books or parchments, with ornamental
      figures, letters, or borders.

资料来源 : WordNet®

limning
     n : a drawing of the outlines of forms or objects [syn: {delineation},
          {depiction}, {line drawing}]