unhand

American  

[uhn-hand] / ʌnˈhænd /

verb (used with object)

1. to take the hand or hands from; release from a grasp; let go.

   Unhand me, you wretched coward!

---

unhand British  

/ ʌnˈhænd /

verb

1. archaic (tr) to release from the grasp

---

Etymology

Origin of unhand

First recorded in 1595–1605; un- ² + hand

Example Sentences

They stage a melodrama in the lobby in which the business of "unhand that woman" and "the viper beats my mother" is used with proper gusto.

From Time Magazine Archive

“Dog, unhand our royal charger. We are the Empress Jadis.”

From "The Magician's Nephew" by C. S. Lewis

"Were ye told to unhand him, dolts?" he shouted.

From A Lad of Grit A Story of Adventure on Land and Sea in Restoration Times by Westerman, Percy F. (Percy Francis)

“I pray you unhand me, Humphrey; my old friend, you are too rough.”

From Sir Ludar A Story of the Days of the Great Queen Bess by Reed, Talbot Baines

I bade them, angrily enough, unhand me and let me go by, as I was an honest citizen, and pressed on an errand to Cheapside.

From Sir Ludar A Story of the Days of the Great Queen Bess by Reed, Talbot Baines