v. [UN-2 9 + RIP v.2]
1. trans. To strip (a house or roof) of tiles, slates, etc. (Cf. RIP v.2 2 c.) Now dial.
a. 1513. Fabyan, Chron., VII. 414. [They] vnryppyd the howse in dyuers places that the rayne myght entre.
1543. in Parker, Dom. Archit. (1859), III. 61. Serching, vnryppyng, new tylyng and poyntyng ouer the west syde of the Quenes pallet chambre.
1887. Parish & Shaw, Kentish Gloss., 129. To unrip the roof of a stable or outbuilding, is to take off the tiles, slates, &c.
2. To lay open, slit up, or detach, by ripping.
Stigmatized in 1708 as a barbarous, improper word (British Apollo, No. 75, 2/1; cf. quot. 1880). In 19th c. somewhat rare in literary use; but freq. in dialect.
1534. [see b].
1594. Shaks., Rich. III., I. iv. 212. [Thou] Didst breake that Vow, and with thy treacherous blade, Vnripst the Bowels of thy Souraignes Sonne.
1601. B. Jonson, Poetaster, III. iv. You should ha seene me vnrip their noses now, and haue sent hem to the next barbers, to stitching.
1661. Walton, Angler, I. v. (ed. 3), 122. We heard as high a contention amongst the beggers, Whether it was easiest to rip a cloak, or to unrip a cloak?
1700. Swift, Poems, Mrs. Harris Petition, 11. My smock was unript, And, instead of putting it [= a purse] into my pocket, down it slipt.
1743. Fielding, J. Wild, IV. ix. He unript the lining of his waistcoat and pulled forth several jewels.
1837. Marryat, Dog Fiend, xi. They proceeded to unrip them [sc. bags].
1863. Miss Braddon, Aurora Floyd, xxi. He took his clasp-knife [and] carefully unripped a part of one of the seams in the waistcoat.
1880. Plain Hints Needlework, 106. To say un-rip, as is often heard, is at least manifestly wrong, to describe the act of tearing open.
b. In fig. contexts.
1534. R. Whitinton, Cicero, I. G vij. Amytes and loue that lesse delyte vs wyse men iudge rather to become vs by lytell and by lytell to vnrippe them than sodaynly to cutte them awaye.
1586. Hooker, Disc. Justification, § 5. I cannot stand now to vnrip this building, and to sift it piece by piece.
1611. Beaum. & Fl., Philaster, I. i. Though thy breath doth strike me dead I have unript my breast.
a. 1652. A. Wilson, Inconstant Ladie, IV. iii. Thy lookes are full of honestie; I dare Vnrip my breast to thee.
1697. Collier, Ess. Mor. Subj., II. 67. As Cato well observes, though in the Phrase of a Taylor, Friendship ought not to be Vnripd, but Vnstitchd.
refl. 1614. J. Cooke, Greenes Tu Quoque, E 1. Hadst thou not vnript thy selfe to me, I should neuer haue knowne thee.
† c. To break (a seal); to open (a sealed document). Obs.
1583. Greene, Mamillia, 26 b. His daughter receiuing the Letter, could scarcely stay to vnrip the seale, while she came in her closet.
1633. Ford, Tis Pity, V. i. 2. Friar. Looke there, tis writt to thee. (Gives the letter.) Gio. From whom? Friar. Vnrip the seales and see.
1634. Heywood, Maidenh. well lost, I. 47 b. His seald Commission He had vnript.
† 3. fig. a. To rip up, bring to light or notice, expose to view. Obs.
1577. Sir W. Drury, in Grosart, Spensers Wks., I. 66. I would not seem to unrip old matters.
1591. Troub. Raigne K. John, i. 88. Before I once open my mouth to vnrippe the shameful slaunder of my parents.
1615. Brathwait, Strappado, 211. For many Errors and fowle crimes I knowe Which Ile in part vnrip, and so make cleare.
1633. Ford, Tis Pity, III. F 3 b. You haue vnript a soule, so foule and guilty, I maruaile how The earth hath borne you vp.
† b. To unfold, disclose, reveal, make known.
157980. North, Plutarch (1595), 832. When he beganne to vnrip his whole intents and practises, he offended the Senate.
1598. Marston, Pygmal., Sat., ii. 143. Delphick Apollo, ayde me to vnrip These intricate deepe Oracles of wit.
1615. Brathwait, Strappado, etc. (1878), 253. Her blush, her smile, her biting of her lip, did all the secrets of her hart vnrippe.
1755. Smollett, Quix., II. 296. You may unrip, and unload, all that lies upon your sorrowful heart.
† c. To undo, annul. Obs.
1622. Bacon, Hen. VII., 176. Hee could not now with his Honour so vnrippe, and (in a sort) put a Lye vpon all that hee had said and done before.
Hence Unripped ppl. a.; Unripping vbl. sb.
1641. Milton, Animadv., 8. Such an unripping, such an Anatomie of the shiest, and tenderest particular truths.
1707. Mortimer, Husb., 144. Let down the Bag by unripping of the Hoop.
1850. Thackeray, Pendennis, xi. Milly took an unripped satin garment of the only vacant seat.