Uncharge

v. Now rare. [UN-² 3.]

  1.  trans. To free from a charge or burden.

1303.  R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 11942. But yn euery tyme þat þou shryuest þe, Of pyne shalt þou vncharged be.

1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. XV. 338. For charite with-oute chalengynge vnchargeth þe soule.

c. 1430.  Pilgr. Lyf Manhode, II. xlvii. (1869), 94. So miche we dide, she and j, þat þe contracte was ouerthrowe from me, and j vncharged.

  absol.  1340.  Ayenb., 97. Þe oþere [law] chargeþ: and þis onchargeþ.

  b.  To acquit of guilt.

1602.  Shaks., Ham., IV. vii. 68. Euen his Mother shall vncharge the practice, And call it accident.

  2.  To unload; to discharge (a vessel).

13[?].  Coer de L., 2584. The drowmound … was drownyd in the flood, Ar halff unchargyd wer that good.

13[?].  Propr. Sanct. (Vernon MS.), in Herrig’s Archiv, LXXXI. 312/171. A beest þat charged is In plaas Mai not passe þorwh narwh paas Til he vncharged be þat tide.

1388.  Wyclif, Acts xxi. 3. We … seiliden in to Sirie, and camen to Tire. For there the schip schulde be vnchargid.

c. 1425.  Eng. Conq. Ireland, 10. Thay vncharged hare shippes, & made ham loges on lond.

c. 1475.  Cath. Angl., 59/1. To vn-charge: vbi to discharge.

  transf.  1387.  Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), VII. 201. After mete þey wente into þe feeld by cause for to uncharge þaire stomakes.

  3.  To remove the charge from (a gun).

1687.  Miége, Gt. Fr. Dict., I. Decharger un Canon, en ôter la charge, to uncharge a Gun.