Meanings
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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.
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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.
Thesaurus
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.