limber 1
— limberly , adv. — limberness , n.
/lim"beuhr/ , adj.
1. characterized by ease in bending the body; supple; lithe.
2. bending readily; flexible; pliant.
v.i.
3. to make oneself limber (usually fol. by up ): to limber up before the game.
v.t.
4. to make (something) limber (usually fol. by up ): She tried to limber up her wits before the exam.
[ 1555-65; perh. akin to LIMB 1 ]
Syn. 2. pliable. See flexible .
Ant. 1, 2. stiff. 2. rigid, unbending.
limber 2
/lim"beuhr/ , Mil.
n.
1. a two-wheeled vehicle, originally pulled by four or six horses, behind which is towed a field gun or caisson.
v.t.
2. to attach the limber to (a gun) in preparation for moving away (sometimes fol. by up ).
v.i.
3. to attach a limber to a gun (usually fol. by up ).
[ 1400-50; late ME lymo ( u ) r pole of a vehicle. See LIMB 1 , -ER 1 ]
limber 3
/lim"beuhr/ , n.
Usually, limbers . Naut. a passage or gutter in which seepage collects to be pumped away, located on each side of a central keelson; bilge.
[ 1620-30; perh. lumière hole, light luminaria; see LUMINARIA ]