unguardv.
/(ˌ)ʌnˈɡɑːd/, /(ˌ)ʌŋˈɡɑːd/, U.S. /ˌənˈɡɑrd/ 1. transitive. To strip of a guard or edging.
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1598 J. Florio Worlde of Wordes Disfrangiare, to vnfringe,..to vngard.
2.
a. To deprive of a guard or defence; to lay open to attack.
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the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > danger > endanger [verb (transitive)] > leave unprotected or unsheltered > deprive of protection
devest1652
undama1713
unguard1749
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones II. v. v. 149 Some well chosen Presents from the Philosopher so softened and unguarded the Girl's Heart, that a favourable Opportunity became irresistable. View more context for this quotation
1801 Ireland Nuptiæ Sacræ 128 Every man, by degrees, will unguard the virtue of his house, hitherto sacred.
1846 E. Bulwer-Lytton Lucretia I. i. ii. 113 She accepted the intimacy held out to her, not to unguard herself, but to lay open her opponent.
b. Whist, etc. To expose (a high card) to the risk of loss by discarding a lower and protecting card.
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society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > whist > play (a card) [verb (transitive)] > actions or tactics
finesse1742
ruff1781
unguard1862
cross-ruff1958
1862 ‘Cavendish’ Princ. Whist (1864) 95 Trick v.—α unguards his queen of spades.
1887 McIntosh Mod. Whist 81 It is better to blank an ace than unguard king or queen.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1924; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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