unlimber

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to detach an artillery piece from its limber and make it ready to fire

   The battery unlimbered its guns beside the road and prepared for action.

2. 2
   verb

   figurative: to bring out, prepare, or begin using something for action or performance

   The musician unlimbered his banjo as the guests gathered around the fire.

From un- + limber, the two-wheeled carriage attached to an artillery piece for transport. To unlimber was literally to detach the gun from that carriage for firing; figurative uses extend the idea to preparing an instrument, argument, or other resource for action.

Topics

External links

• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary
• Google Images