unlimber

¹ American  

[uhn-lim-ber] / ʌnˈlɪm bər /

adjective

1. not limber; inflexible; stiff.

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verb (used with or without object)

1. limber.

unlimber ² American  

[uhn-lim-ber] / ʌnˈlɪm bər /

verb (used with object)

1. to detach (a gun) from its limber or prime mover.

2. to make ready for use or action.

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verb (used without object)

1. to prepare for action.

noun

1. the act of changing a gun from traveling to firing position.

unlimber British  

/ ʌnˈlɪmbə /

verb

1. (tr) to disengage (a gun) from its limber

2. to prepare (something) for use

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Etymology

Origin of unlimber¹

unlimber ¹ ( def. 1 ) un- ¹ + limber ¹; unlimber ¹ ( def. 2 ) un- ² + limber ¹

Origin of unlimber²

First recorded in 1795–1805; un- ² + limber ²

Example Sentences

In it, the English author lays out rules for a strategic version of toy soldiers—the number of moves required “to pass a fordable river,” “to embark into boats,” and “to unlimber guns.”

From Slate • Sep. 12, 2012

Although Mills was silent, his message was all too loud: the President would have to unlimber his blue pencil.

From Time Magazine Archive

The second move would unlimber the Federal Reserve System so that it could itself perform the work undertaken by National Credit Corp.

From Time Magazine Archive

Again the headline writers had to unlimber their stuns, surprises and upsets to report Kennedy's trouncing of Carter in both states and Bush's beating of Reagan in Connecticut.

From Time Magazine Archive

Take up Bach, if you must unlimber your fingers and your wits.

From Old Fogy His Musical Opinions and Grotesques by Huneker, James