[UN-2 4, 4 b + SCALE sb.2]
1. trans. To clean (fish, etc.) from scales.
a. 1510. Stanbridge, Vulgaria (W. de W.), A vj b. Desquamo, [I] vnscale fysshe.
1598. Florio, Scagliare, to skale or vnskale fish.
1655. Moufet & Bennet, Health’s Improv., 168. [Shrimps] are unscaled, to vent the windiness which is in them, being sodden with their scales.
1719. Glossogr. Angl. Nova, Disquamation, is an unscaling a Fish, or the like.
2. fig. To free (the eyes or sight) from scales.
1635. Quarles, Embl., III. Prol. 44. Grones fresht with vowes, and vowes made salt with teares, Vnscale his eyes.
1644. Milton, Areop. (Arb.), 72. Methinks I see her as an Eagle … purging and unscaling her long abused sight at the fountain it self of heav’nly radiance.
1827. Pollok, Course T., I. 3. Thou who of old The prophet’s eye unscaled.
1867. H. Macmillan, Bible Teach., xiii. 265. The Spirit unscales our eyes, and unveils Christ before us.
