unsew

American  

[uhn-soh] / ʌnˈsoʊ /

verb (used with object)

unsewed, unsewn, unsewed, unsewing

1. to remove or rip the stitches of (something sewed).

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Etymology

Origin of unsew

First recorded in 1300–50, unsew is from the Middle English word unsouwen. See un- ², sew ¹

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

unsew unsewed unsewing unsewn

The host was tempted to unsew the valise.

From Imaginary Conversations and Poems A Selection by Walter Savage Landor

Thereupon one of the men put out his hand, began to unsew the shroud, and taking hold of it by one end suddenly laid bare the face of Marguerite.

From Camille by Alexandre Dumas fils

So well did he act his part that Tony's mother had to force him to take the money, which she unsewed from inside the ticking of her mattress.

From By Advice of Counsel by Arthur Cheney Train

I unsewed the seal-skin, and gave him the letter to read—without being aware that he could read: he took it and read it aloud.

From Percival Keene by Frederick Marryat

So I took off my under-coat, and with great trouble of mind, unsewed them from it.

From Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded by Samuel Richardson

This always leaves an end of a signature unsewed.

From Library Bookbinding by Arthur Low Bailey

So the rocking-chair was unsewed, and papa's desk and the big table were unpacked; and as each familiar article came to view, Eyebright felt as though an old friend were restored to her.

From Eyebright A Story by Susan Coolidge

So I washed him and unsewing his gown, found in the bosom a ruby worth thousands of diners and said to myself, "By Allah, this youth was indeed abstracted from the things of this world!"

From The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Volume IV by John Payne

"Here are the three letters," said Jacqueline, who had finished unsewing the lining of her gown.

From Scenes from a Courtesan's Life by Honoré de Balzac

So I washed him and, unsewing his gown, found in the bosom a ruby worth thousands of gold pieces and said to myself, By Allah, this youth was indeed weaned from worldly things!'

From The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 05 by Sir Richard Francis Burton

Elnora, whose eyes were too weak to see her stitches, merely sat with some unsewn pillow covers in her lap and closed her eyes.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

They do not come unsewn at the corners by July or August in the way those one buys in other shops do.

From The Pastor's Wife by Elizabeth von Arnim

In evil hour—by what chance ne'er was known, Whether the bustle's seam had come unsewn, Or MRS.

From The Humorous Poetry of the English Language; from Chaucer to Saxe by James Parton

When engaged in road-work the Dhīmars have unsewn sandals secured to the feet with strips of leather.

From The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India Volume II by R. V. (Robert Vane) Russell

Thus to be humbled: 'tis to be undone; A forest fell'd; a city razed to ground; A cloak unsewn, unwoven and unspun Till not a thread remains that can be wound.

From The Poetical Works of Robert Bridges by Robert Bridges

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