limber Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a two-wheeled horse-drawn vehicle used to pull a field gun or caisson
verb attach the limber
limber up.
- limber a cannon
verb cause to become limber
- The violist limbered her wrists before the concert
adjective satellite (used of e.g. personality traits) readily adaptable
supple.
- a supple mind
- a limber imagination
adjective satellite (used of artifacts) easily bent
adjective satellite (used of persons' bodies) capable of moving or bending freely
supple.

For limmer, Icel. limar branches, boughs, pl. of lim; akin to E. limb. See Limb a branch.

pl. The shafts or thills of a wagon or carriage. Prov. Eng.
(Mil.) The detachable fore part of a gun carriage, consisting of two wheels, an axle, and a shaft to which the horses are attached. On top is an ammunition box upon which the cannoneers sit.
pl. (Naut.) Gutters or conduits on each side of the keelson to afford a passage for water to the pump well.

imperfect & past participle Limbered ; present participle & verbal noun Limbering

(Mil.) To attach to the limber; as, to limber a gun. (b) to render limber, esp. to perform light exercises so as to stretch the muscles and tendons gently in preparation for vigorous activity (and thus to avoid straining the muscles by too sudden exertion after prolonged inactivity)

Akin to lim, a. See Limp, a.

Easily bent; flexible; pliant; yielding. Milton.
The bargeman that doth row with long and limber oar. Turbervile.