limbo1
n.
- (in some Christian beliefs) the supposed abode of the souls of infants who have not been baptized, and of the just who died before Christ.
- an uncertain period of awaiting a decision or resolution:
he was left in limbo.
Etymology
ME: from the med. L. phr. in limbo, from limbus ‘hem, border, limbo’.
limbo2
n.
(pl. limbos)
a West Indian dance in which the dancer bends backwards to pass under a horizontal bar which is progressively lowered toward the ground.
v.
dance the limbo.
Etymology
1950s: from limber1.