v. [UN-2 4.]
1. trans. To divest of, free from, a cloak. Chiefly refl. Also absol.
1598. Florio, Smantellare, to vnmantle, to vncloke.
1775. Ash, Uncloak..., to take off a cloak, to free from the incumberance of a cloak.
1816. Scott, Old Mort., iii. The young plebian,… as he took his stand, half-uncloaked his rustic countenance. Ibid. (1826), Woodst., xxx. A bustle occurred in receiving the General, assisting him to uncloak himself.
1845. Ford, Handbk. Spain, I. 146. All men give the wall to her, many uncloak themselves. Ibid., 201. Spaniards always uncloak when … the host or the king passes by.
2. fig. To expose, lay bare, reveal.
1659. Gentl. Calling (1696), 124. Will none have so much Charity, so much Zeal for publick Concern, as to uncloak this Impostor?
a. 1847. Eliza Cook, Poems, He that is without Sin, ii. The herd, Whose dark and evil works are all uncloaked.
1877. Mrs. Oliphant, Makers Flor., xii. 302. The price of uncloaking the false pretensions of the … priest.
Hence Uncloaking vbl. sb. Also attrib.
[1775. Ash.]
1845. Ford, Handbk. Spain, xviii. 249. Uncloaking in Spain is … a mark of respect, and is equivalent to our taking off the hat.
1877. Mrs. Forrester, Mignon, II. 56. Kitty is awaiting her friend in the uncloaking room.
