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.

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unlay British  

/ ʌnˈleɪ /

verb

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

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Etymology

Origin of unlay

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

Example Sentences

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

From Time Magazine Archive

The owners of a vessel buy up incredible quantities of ``old junk,'' which the sailors unlay, and, after drawing out the yarns, knot them together, and roll them up in balls.

From Two Years Before the Mast by Dana, Richard Henry

We unlay the strands of each of the ropes we intend to join, for about half the length that the splice will be, putting each strand of the one between two strands of the other.

From Scientific American, Volume XXIV., No. 12, March 18, 1871 A Weekly Journal of Practical Information, Art, Science, Mechanics, Chemistry, and Manufactures. by Various

"Now unlay the strands so," he would say.

From The Mutineers by Hawes, Charles Boardman

With steel wire, always before working it, put a stop on at the place to which you intend to unlay, and also put a good whipping of twine at the end of each strand.

From Knots, Bends, Splices With tables of strengths of ropes, etc. and wire rigging by Jutsum, J. Netherclift