limber1

 
Pronunciation: /ˈlɪmbə/

adjective

  • (of a person or body part) lithe or supple: I have to practise to keep myself limber
  • (of a thing) flexible: limber graphite fishing rods

verb

[no object]
  • warm up in preparation for exercise or activity, especially sport or athletics: the acrobats were limbering up for the big show

Derivatives

limberness

noun

Origin:

mid 16th century (as an adjective): perhaps from limber2 in the dialect sense 'cart shaft', with allusion to the to-and-fro motion