unplugv.
/(ˌ)ʌnˈplʌɡ/, U.S. /ˌənˈpləɡ/ 1. transitive. To remove an obstacle, blockage, or plug from; to unblock, unstop.
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the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > open [verb (transitive)] > open by freeing of obstruction > by bung or plug
unbung1611
unstopple1611
unscrew1653
draw1727
uncork1727
unplug1765
unstopper1839
pull1855
1765 J. Kirkpatrick tr. S. A. D. Tissot Advice to People with Regard to Health xxix. 418 It draws out the obstructing Body with it, and thus unplugs, as it were, and opens the Gullet.
1840 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast xxx. 364 By unplugging the holes, we let the soap-suds off the decks.
1876 W. H. Preece & J. Sivewright Telegraphy 270 The whole of the resistance in each arm..should be unplugged.
1953 K. Reisz Technique Film Editing ii. xi. 173 One of the furnacemen is unplugging the tap-hole with an iron tapping bar.
2008 A. Davidson Gargoyle (2009) x. 165 When Gregor's father was unable to unplug the pipes, the local plumber was called in.
2. transitive. To disconnect (an electrical device) by removing its plug from a socket. Opposed to to plug in (see plug v. 3b).
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the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > electrical appliances or devices > insert plug [verb (transitive)] > remove plug
unplug1926
1926 Evening Independent (Massillon, Ohio) 2 July 9/8 Twice the robbers unplugged her switchboard and she plugged it up surreptitiously and whispered for help.
1932 Pampa (Texas) Daily News 1 May 8/6 (advt.) Is it necessary for you to un-plug one electrical appliance to plug in another?
1942 Tee Emm (Air Ministry) 2 141 Nothing is more annoying than to find..one glove [of an electrically-heated flying suit] unplugging itself every time you move your arm.
1969 ‘A. Glyn’ Dragon Variation vi. 184 Mr. Jackson unplugged the television and turned out the lights.
1989 Sun (Brisbane) 10 Mar. 62 (comic strip) Somebody unplugged the refrigerator!
2008 Independent 22 May (Extra section) 11/3 People were encouraged to light fires just in one room,..turn off unnecessary lights and unplug appliances when not in use.
3. intransitive. To refrain from using (certain) electronic devices, esp. computers and smartphones, for a period of time. Also: spec. to refrain from using the internet or social media.
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1991 Orange County (Calif.) Reg. 28 July (Early ed.) h4/1 Many families would like to unplug, but don't know how.
2011 Blogcritics.org Sci. & Technol. (Nexis) 15 June I waited until 10:45 p.m., the night before the start of my detox to make my announcement to both social media site friends that I was unplugging for a week.
2020 @maryimproves 2 Sept. in twitter.com (accessed 29 Sept. 2020) As someone who fully unplugs every Sunday ‘A year offline, what I have learned’..is very inspiring & telling to the benefits of going offline.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2014; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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