unhinge

American  

[uhn-hinj] / ʌnˈhɪndʒ /

verb (used with object)

unhinged, unhinging

1. to remove (a door or the like) from hinges.

2. to open wide by or as if by removing supporting hinges.

   to unhinge one's jaws.

3. to upset; unbalance; disorient; throw into confusion or turmoil.

   to unhinge the mind.

4. to dislocate or disrupt the normal operation of; unsettle.

   to unhinge plans.

5. to detach or separate from something.

6. to cause to waver or vacillate.

   to unhinge supporters of conservative policies.

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unhinge British  

/ ʌnˈhɪndʒ /

verb

1. to remove (a door, gate, etc) from its hinges

2. to derange or unbalance (a person, his mind, etc)

3. to disrupt or unsettle (a process or state of affairs)

4. (usually foll by from) to detach or dislodge

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Other Word Forms

• unhingement
  noun

Etymology

Origin of unhinge

First recorded in 1605–15; un- ² + hinge

Example Sentences

Unhinge, un-hinj′, v.t. to take from the hinges: to render unstable, to unsettle: to deprive of support.—n.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.

From Moby Dick: or, the White Whale by Melville, Herman

Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.

From Moby Dick, or, the whale by Melville, Herman

Related Words

• fluster
• unbalance