unmoor
Americanverb (used with object)
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to loose (a vessel) from moorings or anchorage.
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to bring to the state of riding with a single anchor after being moored by two or more.
verb (used without object)
verb
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to weigh the anchor or drop the mooring of (a vessel)
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(tr) to reduce the mooring of (a vessel) to one anchor
Etymology
Origin of unmoor
First recorded in 1490–1500, unmoor is from the Middle English word unmooren. See un- 2, moor 2
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.
That attitude, however, tends to unmoor people from even basic morality.
From Salon • May 7, 2024
“This is morning glory,” he said proudly, caressing a vibrant flowering vine one recent afternoon as he prepared to unmoor the boat for the enjoyment of his customers.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 5, 2023
Everything has changed; sleep deprivation and physical recovery unmoor most mothers.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 6, 2022
We are learning new things about a novel virus by the day, so it’s disingenuous to pull these statements out of their larger contexts and unmoor them from their timestamps.
From Slate • Jul. 15, 2020
Specht was waiting to unmoor the ship, and the look on his face was equally terrified.
From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo
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.
