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unlimber
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Unlimber

Unlimber \Un*lim"ber\, v. t. [1st pref. un- + limber.] (Mil.) To detach the limber from; as, to unlimber a gun.

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
unlimber

1760, "to free (a gun) from its limber," usually for the purpose of bringing it into action, from un- (2) "opposite of" + limber "attach a gun to its limber" (see limber (n.)). Figurative sense is attested from 1864. Related: Unlimbered; unlimbering.

Wiktionary
unlimber

vb. 1 (context obsolete English) To deploy an artillery piece for firing (ie, to detach it from its limber#Noun). 2 (context by extension English) To clumsily put into employ a large weapon or object.

Usage examples of "unlimber".

The first batteries of British artillery reached Quatre Bras and were ordered to unlimber at the crossroads.

Ryan unlimbered the Steyr and chambered a round, when the night split apart with a thunderous discharge, a foot-long lance of flame reaching out from the pitted maw of the Colt Python held in the bloody hands of a grim-faced Jak Lauren.

The artillery attempted to unlimber and to bring their guns to bear again, but the confusion that prevailed in the crowded spot rendered this next to impossible, and long before it could be accomplished the iron hail again swept through the ranks, and two rattling volleys from their invisible foes behind the flanking abattis again flashed out.

A ripple passed through those remaining as they began sticking their spears through the harness holding their bowcases, hanging their bucklers on their belts, unlimbering their bows.

He was told by his fellow officers that the screams of the crowd and the shrieks of the woman were due to the fact that General Ermolov, coming up to the crowd and learning that soldiers were dispersing among the shops while crowds of civilians blocked the bridge, had ordered two guns to be unlimbered and made a show of firing at the bridge.

Kamchan, however, callously left Hooka where he was and unlimbered his Bowman, rightly determining that it was time he took the initiative again.

The Boers at once opened fire upon the Horse Artillery, who, recognising the mistake, remained motionless and unlimbered in a line, with every horse, and gunner and driver in his place, without taking any notice of the fire, which presently slackened and stopped as the enemy came to understand the situation.

Frack screamed, Frick unlimbered a small stun gun from underneath her swung it around.

Earth soldiers went in armed pairs on a street like Trumpet Road: for a Krasnan swamp-rancher, fisher, miner, logger, trapper, brawling away his accumulated loneliness, with a skinful of vodka or rice wine, a fluff-headed fille-de-joie to impress, and a sullen suspicion that the dice had been loaded, was apt to unlimber his weapons when he saw a blueback.

He intended to unlimber the part of him which had longed so bootlessly for Her Nibs these last three weeks and use it to hose down their dead faces.

The freezies wouldn't shoot out of fear of damaging the relics, but since they were under no such obligation, they unlimbered their autoblasters.

A British galloper gun unlimbered and fired fast into the blinding fog.

In addition to the head gate guard, two squads of Marines were turned out, weapons unlimbered, behind the stone ramps flanking the bridge gateone squad on each side, both squads facing the muddy slope where the highway angled until it reached the brush and trees beyond the enemy's circle of destruction.

In addition to the head gate guard, two squads of marines were turned out, weapons unlimbered, behind the stone ramps flanking the bridge gateone squad on each side, both squads facing the muddy slope where the highway angled until it reached the brush and trees beyond the enemy's circle of destruction.

Simmons's cousin Jake drove in a tethering stake and tied the pack-mule's leading reins to it before he unlimbered the net and hurried up to join his relative at the front of the party.