unlimber

English

Etymology

un- +‎ limber

Verb

unlimber (third-person singular simple present unlimbers, present participle unlimbering, simple past and past participle unlimbered)

1. (obsolete) To deploy an artillery piece for firing (i.e. to detach it from its limber).
   • 1898, H.G. Wells, The War of the Worlds, London: William Heinemann, page 83:

     The gun he drove had been unlimbered near Horsell, in order to command the sand-pits, and its arrival had precipitated the action.

2. (by extension) To clumsily put into employ a large weapon or object.
3. To unsling something, as a backpack, carried on the body with a strap; to bring something carried into the hands for use.
4. To stretch muscles, limbs, etc., that have been cramped or unused for some time.
   • 1963, Arthur Upfield, The Lake Frome Monster, London: Pan Books, published 1969, page 111:

     Bony jumped down and unlimbered his cramped muscles before going after his camels.

Antonyms

• limber

Translations

deploy an artillery piece for firing

• German: abprotzen (de)
• Swedish: brösta av, avbrösta

Adjective

unlimber (comparative more unlimber, superlative most unlimber)

1. Not limber; lacking flexibility.