unlimber

verb

un·​lim·​ber ˌən-ˈlim-bər How to pronounce unlimber (audio)
unlimbered; unlimbering; unlimbers

transitive verb

1
: to detach the limber from and so make ready
unlimber a gun for action
2
: to prepare for operation or performance
unlimbered his banjo and began to play

intransitive verb

: to prepare something for action

Examples of unlimber in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There was a sense the sleeping giant was awake, unlimbering itself and rising. Greg Cote, miamiherald, 14 June 2018 What makes this a matter of more than mere ribaldry is that the baristas have unlimbered heavy constitutional artillery. George Will, National Review, 4 Oct. 2017 For example, on MSNBC Thursday morning, Joe Scarborough unlimbered himself on the topic. Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, 16 June 2017 Piers decided to unlimber himself of his views on social media politicizing ad nauseam, at which point Reid pronounced herself nauseated in the finest way possible: This moment was just too beautiful for words, @susannareid100... Jack Holmes, Esquire, 28 June 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1760, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unlimber was in 1760

Dictionary Entries Near unlimber

Cite this Entry

“Unlimber.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unlimber. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

unlimber

verb
un·​lim·​ber ˌən-ˈlim-bər How to pronounce unlimber (audio)
ˈən-
: to prepare for action or performance
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!