1598. Florio, Sbrancare,… to rid or free from any pawes or clawes, to vnclinch.
1688. R. L’Estrange, Brief Hist. Times, III. 158. When the Word was once pass’d, and the Charge Rivetted to Somerset-House, there was No Recalling, No Unclinching of it.
1699. Garth, Dispens., v. 66. The Hero thus his Enterprise recalls, His Fist unclinches, and the Weapon falls.
1720. Humourist, 25. The Miser, when Love has once warm’d his Heart, unclinches both his Fists, and throws away his Money in Handfuls.
1752. Young, Brothers, IV. i. Unclinch thy talons from thy prey.
1887. Rider Haggard, Jess, ii. Clinching and unclinching his great hand.
