unfold
/ʌnˈfəʊld
/verb
1Open or spread out from a folded position: [with object]: he unfolded the map and laid it out on the table [no object]: the white flowers were just starting to unfold...
- It's very important to condition your horse to the sound of rattling paper as you fold and unfold the map.
- The singing ceased as the child was given a task, and she carefully unfolded the map and spread it out above the top of Dom's head.
- Ted unfolded the map and spread it out across the hood of my car.
Synonyms
open out, spread out, stretch out, flatten, straighten out, unfurl, unroll, unravel, uncoil, unwind, extend
2 [no object] (Of events or information) gradually develop or be revealed: there was a fascinating scene unfolding before me...
- As the plot develops you realize that as many of the events unfold, it is not clear which of them occur naturally and which are engineered by the people that govern.
- When we come back, we'll get the latest from our reporters watching the parade of events unfolding in Iraq.
- Yesterday a tragedy unfolded, a tragic event that could have been avoided, one that led to the unfortunate loss of life.
Synonyms
develop, evolve, happen, take place, occur, transpire, unroll, emerge, grow, progress, mature, work out, untangle, bear fruit, blossom
2.1 [with object] Reveal or disclose (thoughts or information): Eva unfolded her secret exploits to Mattie...
- The efficiency of the architect lies in unfolding the unexplainable details.
- The plot of the play centres around the Doyle Family and many revelations are unfolded as the play unfolds its riveting story.
- A poet's life compressed into this book unfolds ideas both minute and complex.
Synonyms
narrate, relate, recount, tell, reveal, make known, disclose, divulge, present, communicate, report, recite, portray, elaborate, spell out, give an account of, set forth, set out
Derivatives
unfoldment
- It is an experiential path, not a dogma, so your experience in answering questions will help your own spiritual unfoldment.
- It is good to love and respect all religions; that is a necessary condition of individual spiritual unfoldment.
- Performing religious practices at the same time each day is the key to steady unfoldment on the spiritual path
Origin
Old English unfealdan (see un-2, fold1).