(Bot.) The fruit of the Citrus aurantifolia, allied to the lemon, but greener in color; also, the tree which bears it. Note: The term lime was formerly also applied to variants of the closely related citron, of which there are two varieties, Citrus Medica, var. acida which is intensely sour, and the sweet lime (Citrus Medica, var. Limetta) which is only slightly sour. See citron.