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unsling

American  
[uhn-sling] / ʌnˈslɪŋ /

verb (used with object)

unslung, unslinging
  1. to remove (something) from being slung.

    to unsling a rifle from one's shoulder.

  2. Nautical. to take off the slings of; release from slings.


unsling British  
/ ʌnˈslɪŋ /

verb

  1. to remove or release from a slung position

  2. to remove slings from

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of unsling

First recorded in 1620–30; un- 2 + sling 1

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.

See Examples For:

Xan found herself stopping again and again just to take yet another opportunity to unsling the baby and stare into those deep, black eyes.

From "The Girl Who Drank the Moon" by Kelly Barnhill

I scan the surrounding crowd to make sure no one is watching, then unsling the bag and begin to pass it to Mina to remove whatever she needs for the lady.

From "Girl in the Blue Coat" by Monica Hesse

The pursuers saw him unsling his rope, holding the coil easily at his side.

From The Pony Rider Boys in the Alkali or, Finding a Key to the Desert Maze by Frank Gee Patchin

Sith it shall so be, unsling me your crossbow—so: now make it ready—good; place me a quarrel.

From The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 8 (of 25) by Robert Louis Stevenson

I managed, however, to unsling my rifle, and seat myself in a position whence I might fire at the wolves.

From In the Wilds of Florida A Tale of Warfare and Hunting by John Steeple Davis

She allowed me to embrace her, though without unslinging the backpack.

From The New Yorker Feb. 25, 2019

Then unslinging his pack he laid it on the floor.

From "The Return of the King" by J.R.R. Tolkien

She walked over to Tally’s bed, unslinging the knapsack from her shoulder.

From "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld

‘Well, the Road won’t sweep me anywhere for an hour at least,’ said Pippin, unslinging his pack.

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien

“I’ve already packed your bag,” Tam Lin said, unslinging the backpack.

From "The House of the Scorpion" by Nancy Farmer

Your eyes follow him, his leather sandals unslung at the rear, their straps flapping free, his chapped heels callused, crustacean-like.

From The New Yorker Sep. 17, 2012

With an equal flourish Cock Sparrow Max unslung his service fountain pen and laid it beside the pistol.

From Time Magazine Archive

The thousand paintings were unslung from the museum walls.

From Time Magazine Archive

The young man passing in the street stopped for a moment to listen, then turned into the yard and unslung the tape recorder he always carries over one shoulder.

From Time Magazine Archive

Renn hesitated, then unslung her pack and knelt, but still with her knife trained on Torak.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

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