v. [UN-2 3, 7.] trans. and intr. To relax, slacken.
1611. Cotgr., Destendre, to vnbend, slacken, vnstretch.
1825. J. Nicholson, Operat. Mechanic, 752. The mechanism by which the strings of a violin are stretched or unstretched.
1888. Philos. Mag., Feb., 109. An annealed iron wire which is being heated when … it is stretched by a slight weight … suddenly unstretches.
Hence Unstretching vbl. sb.
1611. Cotgr., Destenture, an vnbending, vnstretching, slackening.
1844. Civil Eng. & Arch. Jrnl., VII. 365. The consequent stretching and unstretching [of the rope].
