v. [UN-2 4, 5. Cf. Older Du. and Flem. ontsadelen (Du. ontzadelen), OHG. intsatalôn (MHG. entsatelen, G. entsatteln).
1. trans. To remove the saddle from (a horse, etc.). Also absol.
1382. Wyclif, Gen. xxiv. 32. He ladde hym into the hows of herbergrye and unsadelynge dischargide the camelis.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 367/1. Onsadelyn hors,… desterno.
1560. Bible (Geneva), Gen. xxiv. 32. He vnsadeled the camels and broght lytter & prouander.
1609. Armin, Ital. Taylor, B 3 b. When you shall see The bargaine full assignd, Vnsaddle me, and leaue me sold.
1716. B. Church, Hist. Philip’s War (1865), I. 43. The Horses that he and his company came on standing at the door (for they had not been unsaddled).
1798. Hull Advertiser, 8 Sept., 1/4. After a march of ninety miles, without unsaddling our horses.
1837. W. Irving, Capt. Bonneville, II. 263. Their horses, too, were unsaddled, and turned loose to graze.
1890. ‘R. Boldrewood,’ Col. Reformer (1891), 185. His attendants proceeded to unsaddle the whole troop.
2. To dislodge from a saddle. Also fig.
a. 1470. H. Parker, Dives & Pauper (Pynson, 1493), X. v. Therfore … kepe you wele in the sadyl of pacience, & let no angre … no tribulacion, no seknesse unsadle you of pacience.
1564. Bulleyn, Dial. agst. Pest., 42 b. Helpe me, my horse starteth, and had like to haue … vnsadled me.
1623. Donne, Serm., 176. A froward and peremptory Refuter unsaddles me at first.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 22 March, 1649. Another … whose ambition … is resolved to neglect no tentative … that may unsaddle the General, and fairly hold him the stirrup.
1821. Huish, Life Geo. III., I. 10/1. Magnus … engaged Otho personally, and unsaddled him.
1860. Adler, Prov. Poet., xviii. 404. I expect to unsaddle many a knight on the fair centre of the bridge.
3. To free from spectacles.
1753. Smollett, Ct. Fathom, xl. The prince unsaddled his nose, and … our hero was introduced in form.
Hence Unsaddling vbl. sb. Also attrib.
[1775. Ash.]
1855. Kingsley, Westw. Ho! ii. Sir Richard Grenvile’s house is like a very tavern, with eating and drinking, and unsaddling.
1892. Star, 15 June, 4/3. The small unsaddling paddock.
