"the lime tree," 1570s, noun use of an adjective, "of linden wood," from Old English lind "linden" (n.), from Proto-Germanic *lindjo (cf. Old Saxon linda, Old Norse lind, Old High German linta, German linde), probably from PIE *lent-o- "flexible" (see lithe); with reference to the tree's pliant bast. Cf. Russian lutĭijó "forest of lime trees," Polish łét "switch, twig," Lithuanian lenta "board, plank."
city, northeastern Guyana, on the Demerara River upstream from Georgetown. The former towns of Mackenzie, Wismar, and Christianborg, which were unified as Linden (1971), grew up around the large mining camp that was established by the Aluminum Company of Canada, and later nationalized as the Guyana Bauxite Company. Bauxite mined in the vicinity is brought to Linden for processing and then loaded onto oceangoing vessels at the camp. There is a bridge across the Demerara, and Georgetown can be reached by road. Linden also has an airport. Pop. (2002) 29,502.