1. trans. To slacken or detach by turning a screw (either separate or forming part of the thing turned).
1651. Davenant, Gondibert, I. VI. xiii. His Hilts round Pommel he did then unskrew.
1669. Sturmy, Mariner’s Mag., V. i. 2. You may unscrew the perpendicular from the sight.
1683. Moxon, Mech. Exerc., Printing, xxii. ¶ 4. He must unskrew the Skrew of his Composing-stick.
1722. De Foe, Plague (1754), 71. They found Ways to unscrew the Locks.
1739. Labelye, Piers Westm. Bridge, 24. They were secured by proper Iron-work; which being unskrew’d, would permit the Sides … to part asunder.
1815. J. Smith, Panorama Sci. & Art, II. 24. Shut the stop-cock, and unscrew the syringe.
1848. Dickens, Dombey, xlix. He … unscrewed his hook, screwed his fork into its place, and did the honours of the table.
1900. Hasluck, Model Engin. Handybk., 118. This rod … can be lengthened … by unscrewing one of the joints.
b. To remove the stopper from (a flask) by unscrewing.
1653. Urquhart, Rabelais, I. xxiv. 114. He unscrewed his borracho (which was a great Dutch leathern bottle).
c. intr. To undergo, or admit of, being unscrewed.
1822. T. Mitchell, Aristoph., II. 225. Like the tones of a lyre, When the pins and pegs are unscrewing.
1874. H. H. Cole, Catal. Ind. Art S. Kens. Mus., 166. Amulet Case…. It unscrews at one end.
1888. Rutley, Rock-Forming Min., 21. Fitted on a separate stand the foot of which unscrews.
2. fig. (In various applications.)
1605. B. Jonson, Volpone, V. vii. To the Court … will I; and if’t be possible, Vn-screw my Aduocate, vpon new hopes.
a. 1616[?]. Fletcher, etc., Q. Corinth., III. I should curse my fortune … to be made the ginne To unscrew a Mothers love unto her Son.
1627. N. Burley, in Capt. Smith, Seaman’s Gram., a ij. What long trauels … Haue made thee know, thou … do’st vnscrew To those that want like knowledge.
1664. H. More, Myst. Iniq., 295. The Thirteenth Chapter would not fail to unscrue the meaning with the considerate and intelligent.
1761. Churchill, Rosciad, 468. Courtiers will, like reasonable creatures, Suspend vain Fashion, and unscrew their features.
