unhand

American

[uhn-hand] / ʌnˈhænd /

verb (used with object)

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

Unhand me, you wretched coward!

unhand British

/ ʌnˈhænd /

verb

archaic (tr) to release from the grasp

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of unhand

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The rapid intervention to force Saddam Hussein to unhand Kuwait and its oil was a remarkable show of concerted political will, Mr. Piketty said.

From New York Times

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

From Project Gutenberg

Alive, well, safe!" roared back the minstrel; "unhand me!

From Project Gutenberg

"But replaced by—by—by—Oh God, Isabel, unhand me!" cried Pierre, starting up.

From Project Gutenberg

"Unhand me," she said, alarmed; "unhand me at once, or I'll scream."

From Project Gutenberg

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023