lime glass: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowSpecialized / Technical
Quick answer
What does “lime glass” mean?
A type of soda-lime glass, a common and inexpensive glass composed primarily of silica, soda, and lime, used in windows, bottles, and tableware.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of soda-lime glass, a common and inexpensive glass composed primarily of silica, soda, and lime, used in windows, bottles, and tableware.
As a technical term, it denotes a specific category of glass within materials science and manufacturing. Informally or contextually, it may be used to describe ordinary, non-specialized glass.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic difference. The term is equally technical in both dialects. British English might slightly favour 'soda-lime glass' as the full term.
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both dialects.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse. Frequency increases only within industrial, manufacturing, historical, or materials science contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “lime glass” in a Sentence
[Noun] made of lime glasslime glass [noun]soda-lime glassVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “lime glass” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
American English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- [Rarely used attributively] The lime-glass composition was standard.
- A lime-glass manufacture was established in St Helens.
American English
- [Rarely used attributively] The lime-glass batch formula is proprietary.
- Archaeologists found lime-glass beads.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in manufacturing, procurement, and supply chain contexts for glass products (e.g., 'We source our lime glass from three European suppliers').
Academic
Found in materials science, engineering, archaeology, and history texts describing the composition and properties of glass (e.g., 'The analysis confirmed the artifact was typical Roman lime glass').
Everyday
Virtually never used. People refer simply to 'glass' (e.g., 'a glass bottle').
Technical
The primary domain. Precise specification of glass type in industrial formulas, standards, and scientific papers (e.g., 'The substrate was 1.1 mm thick float lime glass').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “lime glass”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “lime glass”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lime glass”
- Confusing 'lime glass' with 'lead glass' or 'crystal'. Using 'lime glass' in casual conversation instead of just 'glass'. Pronouncing 'lime' as in the fruit /laɪm/ is correct; it is not 'limb glass' /lɪm/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in nearly all contexts they are synonymous. 'Soda-lime glass' is the more precise and complete term.
Technically yes, if it's made from that material, but it's overly technical. In everyday English, it's just a 'glass'.
Lime (calcium oxide) acts as a stabilizer. It makes the glass harder, more chemical-resistant, and less soluble than glass made with only silica and soda.
No, classic Pyrex® is made from borosilicate glass, which has different thermal properties. Some modern kitchenware labelled 'Pyrex' may use tempered soda-lime glass, but this is a different product.
A type of soda-lime glass, a common and inexpensive glass composed primarily of silica, soda, and lime, used in windows, bottles, and tableware.
Lime glass is usually specialized / technical in register.
Lime glass: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlaɪm ˌɡlɑːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlaɪm ˌɡlæs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this specific technical term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of LIMESTONE, a key source of LIME. LIME GLASS is the standard GLASS made with LIME.
Conceptual Metaphor
[Not commonly metaphorized]
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic that distinguishes 'lime glass' from other types like 'borosilicate'?