v. [UN-2 6 b.] trans. To divest of knighthood; to depose from the rank of knight.
Hence Unknighting vbl. sb.
1623. in Birch, Crt. & Times Jas. I. (1848), II. 439. Francis Mitchell, that was unknighted the last parliament.
a. 1661. Fuller, Worthies, Yorks., III. (1662), 207. Another author unknighteth him, allowing him only a plain Esquire.
1844. P. Parley’s Ann., V. 251. By St. George, I will unknight thee.
1856. Doran, Knights, xxx. 489. Knights, irregularly made so, were unknighted with little ceremony. Ibid., 490. There are fewer examples of unknighting in this country than in France.
