\Lim"ber\ (l[i^]m"b[~e]r), n. [For limmer, Icel. limar
branches, boughs, pl. of lim; akin to E. limb. See {Limb} a
branch.]
1. pl. The shafts or thills of a wagon or carriage. [Prov.
   Eng.]
2. (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.
3. pl. (Naut.) Gutters or conduits on each side of the
   keelson to afford a passage for water to the pump well.
{Limber boards} (Naut.), short pieces of plank forming part
   of the lining of a ship's floor immediately above the
   timbers, so as to prevent the limbers from becoming
   clogged.
{Limber box or chest} (Mil.), a box on the limber for
   carrying ammunition.
{Limber rope}, {Limber chain}, or {Limber clearer} (Naut.), a
   rope or chain passing through the limbers of a ship, by
   which they may be cleared of dirt that chokes them.
   --Totten.
{Limber strake} (Shipbuilding), the first course of inside
   planking next the keelson.

\Lim"ber\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Limbered} (-b[~e]rd); p.
pr. & vb. n. {Limbering}.] (Mil.)
To attach to the limber; as, to limber a gun.
{To limber up}, to change a gun carriage into a four-wheeled
   vehicle by attaching the limber.

\Lim"ber\, a. [Akin to limp, a. [root]125. See {Limp},
a.]
Easily bent; flexible; pliant; yielding. --Milton.
      The bargeman that doth row with long and limber oar.
                                               --Turbervile.

\Lim"ber\, v. t.
To cause to become limber; to make flexible or pliant.
--Richardson.