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unstep

American  
[uhn-step] / ʌnˈstɛp /

verb (used with object)

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


unstep British  
/ ʌnˈstɛp /

verb

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

"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 unstep

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


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:

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

They had only to unstep its mast and lie flat in the cup of its soggy platform and they could not be spied half a mile away.

From Where the Pavement Ends by John Russell

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

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

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

Then he saw the dark line of the military bridge, and lowered his sail, and unstepped his little mast.

From Springhaven : a Tale of the Great War by R. D. (Richard Doddridge) Blackmore

They were burning wood, so there was no smoke, and the mast was unstepped.

From The Stowaway Girl by Louis Tracy

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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