unwound

[uhn-wound]

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verb

simple past tense and past participle of unwind.

Nearby words

unwind

[uhn-wahynd]

verb (used with object), un·wound, un·wind·ing.

to undo or loosen from or as if from a coiled condition: to unwind a rolled bandage; to unwind a coiled rope.

to reduce the tension of; relax: to unwind a person with a drink.

to disentangle or disengage; untwist: to unwind one's legs from around the stool.

verb (used without object), un·wound, un·wind·ing.

to become unwound.

to become relieved of tension; relax: After work we can have a drink and unwind.

Origin of unwind

1275–1325; Middle English onwinden; see un-², wind²

Related formsun·wind·a·ble, adjectiveun·wind·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for unwound

The U.S. says Iran should suspend the 20 percent enrichment as a confidence-building measure before sanctions begin to be unwound.
Behind the Smiles in Geneva, No Concrete Progress in Iran Negotiations|Michael Adler|October 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The unwound are some citizens George Packer found and spent time with, people who symbolize this American nightmare.
The National Book Awards Longlist for Nonfiction||September 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The guarantees and bailouts the Fed put in place in 2008 and 2009 have been unwound without significant cost to the public.
Ben Bernanke’s Federal Reserve Is Boring Again|Daniel Gross|December 12, 2012|DAILY BEAST
And so one of the least-wanted stock positions in American history has been unwound at a tidy profit.
Surprise—We Made $23 Billion Off AIG!|Daniel Gross|December 11, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Special-purpose courts can be created and unwound as it suits the leader.
Where Iran's Regime Learned Its Tricks|Scott Horton|June 26, 2009|DAILY BEAST
They broke in upon our love ecstasy, and with a sigh Minna unwound her arms from my neck, and we stood hand in hand a minute.
A Dash .. .. .. For a Throne|Arthur W. Marchmont
When you come to that lake at midday the ball will be unwound.
Myths and Folk Tales of Ireland|Jeremiah Curtin
Hunterleys unwound his scarf and handed his coat and hat to a page-boy.
Mr. Grex of Monte Carlo|E. Phillips Oppenheim
Once he was on the ledge, the chain wound itself up as it had unwound itself.
Children of the Tenements|Jacob A. Riis
Feeling the pain, it unwound its arm from about Mavovo, knocking Stephen over with the backward sweep.
Allan and the Holy Flower|H. Rider Haggard

British Dictionary definitions for unwound

unwound

verb

the past tense and past participle of unwind

unwind

verb -winds, -winding or -wound

to slacken, undo, or unravel or cause to slacken, undo, or unravel

(tr) to disentangle

to make or become relaxedhe finds it hard to unwind after a busy day at work

Derived Formsunwindable, adjectiveunwinder, noun

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

Word Origin and History for unwound

unwind

early 14c., "to undo" (a bandage, wrapping, etc.), from un- (2) + wind (v.). Cf. Old English unwindan, Dutch ontwinden, Old High German intwindan. Refl. sense is recorded from 1740; figurative sense of "to release oneself from tensions, to relax" is recorded from 1938. Related: Unwound; unwinding.

unwound

verb

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

unwind

verb (used with object), un·wound, un·wind·ing.

verb (used without object), un·wound, un·wind·ing.

Origin of unwind

Examples from the Web for unwound

unwound

verb

unwind

verb -winds, -winding or -wound

unwind