vbl. sb. [f. UNTIE v.] The action of the vb.
1597. A. M., trans. Guillemeau’s Fr. Chirurg., 45 b/2. Concerninge the vntyinge [of a bandage].
a. 1637. B. Jonson, Horace’s Art Poetrie, 274. Nor must the fable … have a god come in; except a knot Worth his untying happen there.
1644. Hunton, Vind. Treat. Monarchy, vii. 55. The non observance of it by the King did not amount to an untying of the bond of subjection in the people.
1668. Dryden, Ess. (ed. Ker), I. 86. For the contrivance of the plot, ’tis … withal easy; for the … untying of it, ’tis so admirable, that [etc.].
a. 1844. Campbell, Song, ‘How delicious,’ i. When two mutual hearts are sighing For the knot there’s no untying.
1891. T. Hardy, Tess, xlvii. Tess … was one of those who best combined strength with quickness in untying.
