| 释义 |
unˈharness, v.
[un-2 4, 4 b. Cf. Du. and Flem. ontharnassen to disarm (‘exarmare’, Kilian).]
1. trans. To divest of armour. Also fig.
c1435Torr. Portugal 302 Blythe then wase that lady jent, For to on-harnes Torrent. 1549Coverdale, etc. Erasm. Par. Col. ii. 6 Then declared he them freely and playnly to be ouer⁓commen and vnharnysed, when..he caryed vs about as it were in a triumphe. 1552Huloet, Vnharnayes exarmo. 1802James Milit. Dict., Unharnessed, disarmed, divested of armour or weapons of offence.
2. To free (horses, etc.) from harness; to unyoke. Also fig. and (in recent use) absol.
1611Cotgr., Desharnacher, to vnharnesse, or vntrap; to take off the furniture from a horse. 1643–5Milton Divorce ii. xxi, When two unfortunately met are by the Canon forc't to draw in that yoke..till death unharnesse 'em. 1697Dryden Virg. Past. ii. 96 The sweating steers, unharnessed from the yoke, Bring, as in triumph, back the crooked plough. 1746Phil. Trans. XLIV. 296 The Carter drove him home; but, as soon as he had unharnessed him, the poor Creature..dropp'd down dead immediately. 1799Hull Advertiser 2 Feb. 2/4 A number of respectable inhabitants unharnessed the cattle from his carriage. 1852Grote Greece ii. lxxi. IX. 203 Xenophon unharnessing a waggon-bullock.., immediately offered sacrifice. 1894Westm. Gaz. 10 June 5/1 He had to leave off helping to unharness the horse.
Hence unˈharnessing vbl. n.
1856Lever Martins of Cro' M. xv, Grooming, and shoeing, and unharnessing went on with..noise and merriment. |