unstep

American  

[uhn-step] / ʌnˈstɛp /

verb (used with object)

unstepped, unstepping

1. to lift from its step, as a mast.

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unstep British  

/ ʌnˈstɛp /

verb

1. (tr) nautical to remove (a mast) from its step

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Etymology

Origin of unstep

First recorded in 1850–55; un- ² + step

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

unstep unstepped unstepping

This is used to unstep and eventually restep the mast.

From Time Magazine Archive

“Now,” he continued, “if we lower the sail and unstep the mast, we may remain here as long as we please, undetected.”

From Two Gallant Sons of Devon A Tale of the Days of Queen Bess by Edward S. Hodgson

At length the branches extended so far across the passage that we were compelled to unstep the mast in order to pass under them.

From The Wanderers Adventures in the Wilds of Trinidad and Orinoco by Perat

And get this boat out of the way and unstep her mast!

From Three Dramas by R. Farquharson (Robert Farquharson) Sharp

“You must look out sharp to shift the sheet when I tell you, and unstep the mast, if necessary, the very moment I say, mind!”

From Picked up at Sea The Gold Miners of Minturne Creek by John C. (John Conroy) Hutcheson

When they unstepped their sweeps, lifted out their shells, put on their clothes, the Bachelors' Barge Club of Philadelphia had won the Barnes trophy for the club championship.

From Time Magazine Archive

He unstepped the mast and furled the sail and tied it.

From "The Old Man and The Sea" by Ernest Hemingway

Each schooner lay with two anchors down and sixty fathoms of cable on each; the masts were unstepped and, with the rigging, allowed to drift astern to foul the screws of vessels attempting to pass.

From The Gulf and Inland Waters The Navy in the Civil War. Volume 3. by A. T. (Alfred Thayer) Mahan

The boat’s sails were lowered, and, if it could have been done, the mast would have been unstepped and pitched overboard; the oars were got out, and the boat approached the side of the frigate.

From Ronald Morton, or the Fire Ships A Story of the Last Naval War by T. Hoggans

Priscilla, with the necessity of meeting a train present in her mind, unstepped the mast and took her oars.

From Priscilla's Spies by George A. Birmingham

We should fetch it with one tack, and by unstepping our masts very probably the boat will not be seen, or our hut either, unless the Frenchmen narrowly examine the island.”

From The Rival Crusoes by William Henry Giles Kingston

This we accomplished, and lowering our sail, and unstepping our mast, we got close in under the trees.

From The Wanderers Adventures in the Wilds of Trinidad and Orinoco by Perat

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