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

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

From The Mutineers by Hawes, Charles Boardman

For a fair-sized rope unlay about 9 ft. of each end.

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

To make you a Flemish eye," Captain Falk continued in cold sarcasm, "you unlay the end of the rope and open up the yarns.

From The Mutineers by Hawes, Charles Boardman

In unlaying for a long splice, always unlay two strands simultaneously, to keep the rope in its original lay.

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