unˈnail, v.
[un-2 3. Cf. MDu. ontnaghelen (Du. -nagelen), OHG. innagalen (G. entnageln).]
1. trans. To undo or unfasten in structure by the extraction or removal of nails.
| 1470–85 Malory Arthur ii. xviii. 97 Their hawberkes vnnailled that naked they were on euery syde. 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. ccccxii. 718 They made all y⊇ bridge to be vnnayled, redy to be broken downe. 1595 Caxton's Blanchardyn B ij, Vnnayling his armor.., he sent him to carry newes of Blanchardines valure. 1704 tr. I. le Fevre's Memoir 87 The Almoner..caus'd the Coffin to be unnail'd again. 1884 Stevenson in St. James's Gaz. 10 Apr. (1899) 4/2 If we do possess these opposite gifts, we must unnail the scaffolding. |
2. To free (artillery) from being spiked.
| 1562 Whitehorne Ord. Souldiours 34 The spediest way to vnnaile them, is firste to charge againe all such peses of artillerie, with smaller bullettes then their ordinarie. |
3. To detach or unfasten from something by the removal of nails.
| 1598 Rowlands Betraying of Christ 55 Hands and feet they carefull did vn-naile, Letting the body downe. 1668 Evelyn tr. Freart's Idea Perf. Paint. 51 At the foot..stands the B. Virgin,..whiles Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus un-nail our Lord. 1683 Moxon Mech. Exerc., Printing xxiv. ¶3 He cannot alter the position of the Rounce without un-nailing and nailing the Girts again. 1797 Trans. Soc. Arts XV. 256 This is done by unnailing from the board a part on each side. 1846 Landor Exam. Shaks. Wks. II. 273/2 Having..unnailed from our chapels, many dozens of decent saints. 1858 Glenny Gard. Every day Bk. 19/1 We must think it no trouble to unnail even large branches. |
| absol. 1683 Moxon Mech. Exerc., Printing xxiv. 278 The Press-man, without nailing or un-nailing, Sets the Rounce to what Position he will. |
Hence
unˈnailing vbl. n.| 1622 Mabbe tr. Aleman's Guzman d'Alf. ii. 258 Even to the vnnayling from heaven, of the Sunne, and the Moone. 1756 Nugent Gr. Tour, France IV. 99 A picture of the un⁓nailing from the cross,..which is greatly admired. |