unlay

American  

[uhn-ley] / ʌnˈleɪ /

verb (used with object)

unlaid, unlaying

1. to separate (a strand) from a rope.

2. to untwist (a rope) in order to separate its strands.

---

unlay British  

/ ʌnˈleɪ /

verb

1. (tr) to untwist (a rope or cable) to separate its strands

---

Etymology

Origin of unlay

First recorded in 1720–30; un- ² + lay ¹

Example Sentences

“She started to unlay herself and became outspoken, someone who wanted to impact and leave a lasting impression on you,” said Charles, who is now with the Washington Mystics.

From New York Times

They're not suddenly going to press the rewind button and totally unlay you off.

From Time Magazine Archive

To Form a Wall Knot.—First unlay the rope so that the strands appear as in Fig.

From Project Gutenberg

To form it on a rope by its own strands, unlay the rope to the place where it is desired to form the knot, and as after the knot is made the strands will have to be laid up again, try to preserve the original lay in the strands as much as possible.

From Project Gutenberg

A Spritsail Sheet Knot.—Unlay both ends of the rope and bring the two standing parts of the rope together as in Fig.

From Project Gutenberg