v. [UN-2 3 + TACK v.1]
1. trans. To take apart, break up.
1641. Milton, Reform., II. 54. The little adoe, which me thinks I find in untacking these pleasant Sophismes.
a. 1715. Burnet, Own Time, VII. (1734), II. 401. If they [sc. the Lords] should untack the Bill, and separate one from the other. [Cf. TACK v.1 5.]
b. To detach (from something); to set free.
1667. Marvell, Instr. Dutch Wars, Poems (1870), 153. Ruyter forthwith a squadron doth untack.
a. 1677. Barrow, Serm. (1683), II. 49. It alone can untack our minds and affections from this world.
1741. Richardson, Pamela, II. 21. Besides, I must all undress me in a manner to untack [the papers].
2. To detach by the withdrawal of tacks. Also absol.
1693. Evelyn, De la Quint. Compl. Gard., II. 41. We must never begin to Prune an Espalier … until it be quite untack’d.
1707. Mortimer, Husb., 138. When the Blanket … is full, they untack it and carry it away, and empty it.
1718. J. Laurence, Fruit-Gard. Kalendar, 43. To Exercise his Knife … in correcting the great Disorders of his … Peach-trees; first untacking them from the Wall.
