▪ I. † unˈballast, ppl. a. Obs.
[var. of prec. Cf. Du. ongeballast.]
= unballasted.
| 1622 T. Scott Belg. Pismire Pref., I have..saved much I might have lost, had I ventured any thing in so light, weake, and vnbalast a bottom. 1655 W. Gurnall Chr. in Arm. i. 275 The opinion of others, whose breath of applause possibly was a means to over-set thy unballast spirit. 1659 W. Chamberlayne Pharonnida ii. 103 The vexed prince,..to entertain Them now with strength unballast, calls in haste His late neglected Council. |
▪ II. unˈballast, v.
[un-2 4. Cf. Du. ontballasten.]
1. Naut. To clear (a ship) of ballast. Also unˈballasting vbl. n.
| a 1684 Leighton Com. Pet. v. 6 (1849) II. 460 It is necessary time and pains that is given to the unballasting of a ship. 1769 Falconer Dict. Marine (1780), To unbalast, to discharge the ballast of a ship. [Hence in later dicts.] Ibid. (French Terms), [The] Maître de quai..is besides to appoint the proper places for ballasting and unballasting vessels. |
2. fig. To render unsteady.
| 1836 Blackw. Mag. XXXIX. 466 This pleasure..more completely unballasts the mind than any other. |