unknit
Americanverb (used with object)
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to untie or unfasten (a knot, tangle, etc.); unravel (something knitted); undo.
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to weaken, undo, or destroy.
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to smooth out (something wrinkled).
verb (used without object)
verb
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to make or become undone, untied, or unravelled
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(tr) to loosen, weaken, or destroy
to unknit an alliance
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rare (tr) to smooth out (a wrinkled brow)
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of unknit
before 1000; Middle English unknytten, Old English uncnyttan. See un- 2, knit
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.
See Examples For:
In the scorbutic body, as connective tissue fails, long-healed broken bones unknit themselves, and legs cramp so severely that the person cannot walk.
From Slate ● Dec. 8, 2016
And now he unknit his black brows; looked down, smiling at me, and stroked my hair, as if well pleased at seeing a danger averted.
From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
She did not seem to hear one word when I spoke to her; I could see her mind was all too unknit for comprehension; she only cried out as before.
From The Unknown Sea by Housman, Clemence
Her brows unknit, the lines of irritation smoothed out, a genial, merry, amused expression went with her laugh over to her husband; and the talk flowed over into easier channels.
From A Letter of Credit by Warner, Susan
If they be true love knots 'tis unpossible to unknit them; if false, I never tied them.
From The Growth of English Drama by Wynne, Arnold
Instantly, Mr. Roberts’s eyes slid out of focus, his brows unknitted, and a look of dreamy unconcern fell over his face.
From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling
She sobbed and knitted her fingers together, unknitted them, and wove them together again in convulsions of distress—of despair.
From The Broom-Squire by Baring-Gould, S. (Sabine)
When it is necessary to decrease two stitches at once, proceed thus:--Slip one, knit two stitches together, then slip the unknitted stitch over the two knitted together.
From Beeton's Book of Needlework by Beeton, Mrs. (Isabella Mary)
By this time the unwonted prospect of a really hearty dinner began to soften the stern Juliet, and her brows unknitted themselves, showing that her eyes would be pretty if they wore a pleasant expression.
From Littlebourne Lock by Harrison, F. Bayford
Torrini slowly unknitted his brows, and an irresolute expression stole across his face; then he called Brigida, and bade her go in with the children.
From The Stillwater Tragedy by Aldrich, Thomas Bailey
The fat Earl hemmed and hawed, clearing his throat to gain time, and knitting and unknitting his fingers over his stomach.
From The Black Douglas by Richards, Frank
He was pacing to and fro, with rapid, nervous steps, crushing the dry twigs under his shoes, pressing his hands together behind his back, knitting and unknitting his fingers.
From A Friend of Caesar A Tale of the Fall of the Roman Republic. Time, 50-47 B.C. by Davis, William Stearns
This was the last word of the tale, when sweet sleep came speedily upon him, sleep that loosens the limbs of men, unknitting the cares of his soul.
From The Odyssey Done into English prose by Lang, Andrew
With the insight and tenderness of a mother he restrained himself, and unknitting his brows, held out both his hands and said very kindly, "Come and tell poor Papa all about it, my darling."
From A Flat Iron for a Farthing or Some Passages in the Life of an only Son by Wheelhouse, M. V.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
