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definitions

limber

1
[ lim-ber ]
/ ˈlɪm bər /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR limber 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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RELATED WORDS

develop, prepare, exert, train, improve, discipline, maneuver, practice, inure, rehearse, hone, fix, work, ply, labor, break, strain, foster, set, drill

Nearby words

  1. limb lead,
  2. limb-girdle muscular dystrophy,
  3. limba,
  4. limbate,
  5. limbed,
  6. limber hole,
  7. limber pine,
  8. limber up,
  9. limberly,
  10. limberneck

Origin of limber

1
First recorded in 1555–65; perhaps akin to limb1
ANTONYMS FOR limber
1, 2. stiff. 2. rigid, unbending.
SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR limber ON THESAURUS.COM
Related formslim·ber·ly, adverblim·ber·ness, noun

limber

2
[ 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
1400–50; late Middle English lymo(u)r pole of a vehicle. See limb1, -er1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for limber up

limber up

verb (adverb)

(intr) (esp in sports) to exercise in order to be limber and agile
(tr) to make flexible

limber

1
/ (ˈlɪmbə) /

adjective

capable of being easily bent or flexed; pliant
able to move or bend freely; agile
Derived Formslimberly, adverblimberness, noun

Word Origin for limber

C16: origin uncertain

limber

2
/ (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

limber

3
/ (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
Word Origin and History for limber up
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper