unbottomv.
1. transitive. To divest of a bottom or foundation; †figurative, to deprive of support or stay; to unsettle or make unstable.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > changeableness > render changeable or unstable [verb (transitive)]
unbottom1598
uncertain1614
destabilize1934
undercut1955
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > damage > damage or injure [verb (transitive)] > damage deliberately or vandalize > gut or remove things from a building, etc.
unripa1513
tirr1553
discover1563
unfloor1589
unpinion1593
unbottom1598
unbrick1598
unpave1598
unroof1598
unslate1598
untop1598
flay1636
unplank1646
gut1688
unmantle1828
1598 J. Florio Worlde of Wordes Diffondare, to vnbottom.
1642 D. Rogers Naaman 156 I am willing to be informed,..yea, to unbottome my selfe of my old rotten mixtures.
1655 W. Gurnall Christian in Armour: 1st Pt. 257 This one consideration might be of excellent use to unbottome a sinner, and abase him so as never to have high thought of himself.
1693 G. Firmin Πανουργια i. 6 Commonly when we speak of unbottoming a Man from himself, we mean [from] his own goodness.
2. intransitive. To make oneself bare-breeched.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > providing with clothing > undressing or removing clothing > undress or remove clothing [verb (intransitive)] > make oneself bare-breeched
unbottoma1658
a1658 J. Cleveland News from Newcastle (new ed.) in Wks. (1687) 288 Then you'll unbottom [1651 un button], though December blow, And sweat i'th' midst of Isicles and Snow.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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