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limber

1
[ lim-ber ]
/ ˈlɪm bər /
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See synonyms for: limber / limberness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

characterized by ease in bending the body; supple; lithe.
bending readily; flexible; pliant.

verb (used without object)

to make oneself limber (usually followed by up): to limber up before the game.

verb (used with object)

to make (something) limber (usually followed by up): She tried to limber up her wits before the exam.

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Origin of limber

1
First recorded in1555–65; of uncertain origin; perhaps akin to limb1

synonym study for limber

2. See flexible.

OTHER WORDS FROM limber

lim·ber·ly, adverblim·ber·ness, noun

Words nearby limber

limb, limba, limbate, limb bud, limbed, limber, limber hole, limberneck, limber pine, limber up, limb-girdle muscular dystrophy

Definition for limber (2 of 3)

limber2
[ lim-ber ]
/ ˈlɪm bər /
Military

noun

a two-wheeled vehicle, originally pulled by four or six horses, behind which is towed a field gun or caisson.

verb (used with object)

to attach the limber to (a gun) in preparation for moving away (sometimes followed by up).

verb (used without object)

to attach a limber to a gun (usually followed by up).

Origin of limber

2
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English limour, lemer “cart shaft”; see limb1, -er1

Definition for limber (3 of 3)

limber3
[ lim-ber ]
/ ˈlɪm bər /

noun

Usually limbers. Nautical. a passage or gutter in which seepage collects to be pumped away, located on each side of a central keelson; bilge.

Origin of limber

3
First recorded in 1620–30; of uncertain origin; perhaps from French lumière “hole, perforation,” literally, “light,” from Late Latin lūmināria; see origin at luminaria
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to limber

pliable, spry, agile, nimble, lithe, resilient, graceful, supple, loose, elastic, plastic, deft, lissome, pliant, springy, lithesome

How to use limber in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for limber (1 of 3)

limber1
/ (ˈlɪmbə) /

adjective

capable of being easily bent or flexed; pliant
able to move or bend freely; agile

Derived forms of limber

limberly, adverblimberness, noun

Word Origin for limber

C16: origin uncertain

British Dictionary definitions for limber (2 of 3)

limber2
/ (ˈlɪmbə) /

noun

part of a gun carriage, often containing ammunition, consisting of an axle, pole, and two wheels, that is attached to the rear of an item of equipment, esp field artillery

verb

(usually foll by up) to attach the limber (to a gun, etc)

Word Origin for limber

C15 lymour shaft of a gun carriage, origin uncertain

British Dictionary definitions for limber (3 of 3)

limber3
/ (ˈlɪmbə) /

noun

(often plural) nautical (in the bilge of a vessel) a fore-and-aft channel through a series of holes in the frames (limber holes) where water collects and can be pumped out

Word Origin for limber

C17: probably changed from French lumière hole (literally: light)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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