unline

present singular third person unlines · participle present unlining · participle past unlined · past unlined

1. To remove or separate the lining from.

   No more that unenquiring heart Perused the sweet home of her breast, Than turtle-doves unline their nest To scan the outer part.

   1895, Richard Doddridge Blackmore, Fringilla, page 44

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   as in the case of gout, a disease of the sufferer's own making, from excess of de-electrising food and drink, which uncoats and unlines the nerves, and thus leaves the nervous fluid, from casual circumstances, to almost lacerate the brain.

   1848, T. H. Pasley, The Philosophy which Shows the Physiology of Mesmerism, page 87

   These instruments are so produced as to suit the procedure of vivification by unlining, which is the one that I exclusively employ .

   1917, Eugène-Louis Doyen, Surgical Therapeutics and Operative Technique, page 179

2. biologyTo undergo a (now debunked) process in which the tissue of a plant separates into identical layers.

   The carpophore unlines itself at maturity, and the vittæ are wide and solitary in each furrow.

   1881, Henri Baillon, The Natural History of Plants - Volume 7, page 105

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   There is no instance of unlining which may not be as well explained by the theory of alternation.

   1848, John Lindley, An Introduction to Botany

   The name dédoublement of Duval, which has been translated deduplication, literally means unlining'; the original hypothesis being, that the organs in question unline, or tend to separate into two or more layers, each having the same structure.

   1870, Asa Gray, Introduction to Structural and Systematic Botany, page 243

3. figurativelyTo empty (a purse).

   I'll live by a pittance. Unline my purse, and use my person, and for my limbs, take the best in the bunch.

   1857, John Webster, “The Weakest Goeth To the Wall”, in William Hazlitt, editor, The dramatic works of John Webster, page 254

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   How many old, Decrepit packs of eighty do we see Get wives, that first unline their purse, then out, Like skinless rats, drive their lean carcasses.

   1892, E. J. Sanborn, “Comfort in a Corner”, in Dramas, page 54

   As now rich Opportunity doth give to make you Fame-full though it empt your Pouche: Two Kings thus met, make Kingdomes richly thrive, though it unlines their Purse with wearing much: Then, sith but seld, or ne're Kings consort thus, Be glorious now, or still inglorious.

   1991, John Ford, edited by Leo Edward Stock, The Nondramatic Works of John Ford, page 10

4. To take out of (literal or figurative) alignment; to disconnect.

   To-morrow doth Luxurio promise me He will unline himself from bitchery ;

   1598, John Marston, The Scourge of Villanie

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   When the eccentric lowers the pitman, it unlines the toggles and the swing jaw is free to recede from the fixed jaw .

   1903, Robert Hallowell Richards, Breaking, crushing and comminuting, page 16

   And as I've been walking, sure enough, I see little white dots on the hills, those little sheep, and I can see cattle lined up and then unlining about a mile off on the plains .

   2018, James Banks, Letters to People Who Care, page 26

5. To remove or destroy one or more lines.

   Maxwell cars are of unit construction that no stress can unline.

   1908, “Advertisement: Automobile Facts”, in Circle: A Modern Department Magazine, volume 3, page 371

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   However, I am a Line, and they can't "unline" me very well. My soil is not good enough for a market-garden, and if it were, the surrounding inhabitants are too sparse to require so large a supply of the vegetable world.

   1871, W.M. Statham, “The Branch Line”, in The Quiver, page 33

   She will ask herself whether the confined and relative reason of the artist can be deemed superior to the infinite, absolute reason of the Creator; whether it is for man to rectify God; whether mutilation can improve the beauty of nature; whether are be authorised to unline—if we may use the word — man, life, creation; . . . . whether, in fine, incompleteness be an element of harmony?

   1905, Giuseppe Mazzini, Life and Writings of Giuseppe Mazzini- Volume 2, page 282