Lima \Li"ma\ (l[=e]"m[.a] or l[imac]"m[.a]), n. The capital city of Peru, in South America. {Lima bean}. (Bot.) (a) A variety of climbing or pole bean ({Phaseolus lunatus}), which has very large flattish seeds. (b) The seed of this plant, much used for food. {Lima wood} (Bot.), the beautiful dark wood of the South American tree {C[ae]salpinia echinata}.