v. [UN-2 5.]

1

  1.  trans. To dislodge (a fox) from its hole; to start. Also in fig. context, and absol.

2

1576.  Turberv., Venerie, 100. An Hart or a Bucke is flayed,… an Hare started, and a Fox vnkennelled.

3

1598.  Shaks., Merry W., III. iii. 172. Ascend my Chambers…: Ile warrant wee’le vnkennell the Fox.

4

1632.  B. Jonson, Magn. Lady, I. i. Your fox there, Unkennell’d with a choleric, ghastly aspect,… Would run their fears to any hole of shelter.

5

1679.  C. Nesse, Antichrist, 105. The great fox that hath so long spoild the vines of Christs vineyard shall be unkennel’d.

6

1703.  (title) The Fox with his Fire-Brand unkennell’d and Insnar’d.

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1753.  Foote, Eng. in Paris, I. i. Did I tell you what a Chace she carry’d me last Christmas Eve? We unkennel’d at —.

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1825.  Eng. Life, I. 216. We unkennelled Reynard capitally.

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1852.  Miss Yonge, Cameos, I. xxvii. 221. Vowing he would unkennel the young fox,… John sent his troops into Scotland.

10

  b.  intr. To come out of a hole or lair.

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c. 1760.  in T. C. Croker, Pop Songs Irel. (1839), 223. Ten minutes past nine was the time o’ the day, When Reynard unkennelled.

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c. 1820.  S. Rogers, Italy, Banditti, 59. He comes slowly forth, Unkennelling.

13

  2.  fig. To force or drive out from a place or position; to dislodge; to bring to light.

14

1612.  Webster, White Devil, V. i. I’le unkennell one example more for thee.

15

1630.  J. Taylor (Water P.), Jack a Lent, Wks. (1630), 116/2. The wet Fishmongers … vnkennell the salt Eeles from their brinie Ambuscadoes.

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1670.  Cotton, Espernon, I. IV. 149. Hunting, and every where unkennelling the Savoyards,… who had possess’d themselves of most of the best Cities of Provence.

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1743.  Young, Nt. Th., V. 969. A precious pack of votaries Unkennell’d from the prisons.

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1749.  Fielding, Tom Jones, XV. v. Where is she?… I’ll unkennel her this instant. Shew me her chamber.

19

1809.  Southey, Lett. (1856), II. 131. I am in want of the ‘Annual Letters from Paraguay’;… by that time, if they are in England, I may hope to unkennel them.

20

1818.  Moore, Fudge Fam. Paris, VI. 25. Lucky the dog that first unkennels Traitors and Luddites now-a-days.

21

1839.  Times, 10 June. It is their interest to unkennel this knavery.

22

  refl.  1602.  Shaks., Ham., III. ii. 86. If his occulted guilt Do not it selfe vnkennell in one speech, It is a damned Ghost that we haue seene.

23

  3.  To let (hounds) out of a kennel. Also fig. and in fig. context.

24

1607.  Dekker, Wh. Babylon, C 4. Shee shall bee torne, Euen ioynt from ioynt: to haue her baited wel,… wee will vnkennell hell.

25

1628.  Wither, Brit. Rememb., Pref. 157. I can unkennell such an eager packe Of deep-mouth’d Hounds.

26

1840.  Keightley, Hist. Roman Empire, I. iii. 63. The baleful pack of informers was unkenneled, and their victims … were hunted to death.

27

1861.  Dixon, Pers. Hist. Bacon, vi. § 1. Blount … unkennels … a pack of needy ruffians eager for any service.

28

  Hence Unkennelled ppl. a.1; Unkennelling vbl. sb.

29

1589.  Warner, Alb. Eng., VI. xxxiii. 144. Like *vnkenneld Cerberus the crooked Tyrant swore.

30

a. 1653.  G. Daniel, Idyll., Landskip, 7. Vnkennell’d Fury (deep-mouth’d) rings Liberty lodg’d; and Chas’d it quite away.

31

1687.  Dryden, Hind & P., I. 152. Thou first Apostate to Divinity, Unkennel’d range in thy Polonian Plains.

32

1700.  S. Parker, Six Philos. Ess., 48. The poor unkennell’d Fryars … are ready to bear me out in my Assertion.

33

1600.  J. B. (title), A Toile for Two-legged Foxes, wherein their noisome properties, their hunting and *vnkenelling,… is liuelie discouered.

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1602.  2nd Pt. Return Parnass., II. v. 829. What sir, do you meane at the vnkennelling, vntapezing, or earthing of the Fox?

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