unlimber

C2 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /ˌʌnˈlɪmbər/ UK /ˌʌnˈlɪmbə/ See IPA manual

Freq #372983

Meanings

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

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.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to detach an artillery... deploy ready

2 verb · figurative: to bring out,... preparebring outdeploy

Opposites

limber stowpack away

Word family

Forms unlimbered

Derived forms unlimberedunlimbering

Related forms limber artillerygun carriage

Etymology

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

Actions & Processes Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# unlimber

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /ˌʌnˈlɪmbər/
**IPA (UK):** /ˌʌnˈlɪmbə/
**Frequency rank:** 372983

## Meanings
1. to detach an artillery piece from its limber and make it ready to fire
2. figurative: to bring out, prepare, or begin using something for action or performance

## Examples
- The battery unlimbered its guns beside the road and prepared for action.
- The musician unlimbered his banjo as the guests gathered around the fire.

## Synonyms
- deploy
- ready
- prepare

## Antonyms
- limber
- stow
- pack away

## Derived Forms
- unlimbered
- unlimbering

## Related Forms
- limber
- artillery
- gun carriage

## Etymology
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
- Actions & Processes
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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