v. (UN-2 3.) Chiefly in figurative uses.
1595. Shaks., John, V. iv. 11. Vnthred the rude eye of Rebellion, And welcome home againe discarded faith.
1634. Milton, Comus, 616. He with his bare wand can unthred thy joynts, And crumble all thy sinews.
1699. Boyer, Royal Dict., 1. Desenfiler, to unthread a Needle.
1801. Lamb, Lett. (1900), II. 40. Who can disentangle and unthread the rich texture of Nature and Poetry,… without spoiling both lace and coat?
1818. Keats, Isabella, xxxvii. The while it did unthread the horrid woof Of the late darken’d time.
1847. De Quincey, Sp. Mil. Nun, Wks. 1854, III. 43. Under Kate’s guidance … they soon unthreaded the labyrinth of rocks.
1865. Miss Braddon, Doctor’s Wife, x. 93. Threading and unthreading her needle very often.
