unˈkennel, v.
[un-2 5.]
1. trans. To dislodge (a fox) from its hole; to start. Also in fig. context, and absol.
| 1576 Turberv. Venerie 100 An Hart or a Bucke is flayed,..an Hare started, and a Fox vnkennelled. 1598 Shakes. Merry W. iii. iii. 172 Ascend my Chambers..: Ile warrant wee'le vnkennell the Fox. 1632 B. Jonson Magn. Lady i. i, Your fox there, Unkennell'd with a choleric, ghastly aspect,..Would run their fears to any hole of shelter. 1679 C. Nesse Antichrist 105 The great fox that hath so long spoild the vines of Christs vineyard shall be unkennel'd. 1703 (title), The Fox with his Fire-Brand unkennell'd and Insnar'd. 1753 Foote Eng. in Paris i. i, Did I tell you what a Chace she carry'd me last Christmas Eve? We unkennel'd at ―. 1825 Eng. Life I. 216 We unkennelled Reynard capitally. 1852 C. M. Yonge Cameos I. xxvii. 221 Vowing he would unkennel the young fox,..John sent his troops into Scotland. |
b. intr. To come out of a hole or lair.
| c 1760 in T. C. Croker Pop. Songs Irel. (1839) 223 Ten minutes past nine was the time o' the day, When Reynard unkennelled. c 1820 S. Rogers Italy, Banditti 59 He comes slowly forth, Unkennelling. |
2. fig. To force or drive out from a place or position; to dislodge; to bring to light.
| 1612 Webster White Devil v. i, I'le unkennell one example more for thee. 1630 J. Taylor (Water P.) Jack a Lent Wks. (1630) 116/2 The wet Fishmongers..vnkennell the salt Eeles from their brinie Ambuscadoes. 1670 Cotton Espernon i. iv. 149 Hunting, and every where unkennelling the Savoyards,..who had possess'd themselves of most of the best Cities of Provence. 1743 Young Nt. Th. v. 969 A precious pack of votaries Unkennell'd from the prisons. 1749 Fielding Tom Jones xv. v, Where is she?.. I'll unkennel her this instant. Shew me her chamber. 1809 Southey Lett. (1856) II. 131, I am in want of the ‘Annual Letters from Paraguay’;..by that time; if they are in England, I may hope to unkennel them. 1818 Moore Fudge Fam. Paris vi. 25 Lucky the dog that first unkennels Traitors and Luddites now-a-days. 1839 Times 10 June, It is their interest to unkennel this knavery. |
| refl. 1602 Shakes. Ham. iii. ii. 86 If his occulted guilt Do not it selfe vnkennell in one speech, It is a damned Ghost that we haue seene. |
3. To let (hounds) out of a kennel. Also
fig. and in
fig. context.
| 1607 Dekker Wh. Babylon C 4, Shee shall bee torne, Euen ioynt from ioynt: to haue her baited wel,..wee will vnkennell hell. 1628 Wither Brit. Rememb. Pref. 157, I can unkennell such an eager packe Of deep-mouth'd Hounds. 1840 Keightley Hist. Roman Empire i. iii. 63 The baleful pack of informers was unkenneled, and their victims..were hunted to death. 1861 Dixon Pers. Hist. Bacon vi. §1 Blount..unkennels..a pack of needy ruffians eager for any service. |
Hence
unˈkennelled ppl. a.1;
unˈkennelling vbl. n.| 1589 Warner Alb. Eng. vi. xxxiii. 144 Like *vnkenneld Cerberus the crooked Tyrant swore. a 1653 G. Daniel Idyll., Landskip 7 Vnkennell'd Fury (deep-mouth'd) rings Liberty lodg'd; and Chas'd it quite away. 1687 Dryden Hind. & P. i. 152 Thou first Apostate to Divinity, Unkennel'd range in thy Polonian Plains. 1700 S. Parker Six Philos. Ess. 48 The poor unkennell'd Fryars..are ready to bear me out in my Assertion. |
| 1600 J. B. (title), A Toile for Two-legged Foxes, wherein their noisome properties, their hunting and *vnkenelling,..is liuelie discouered. 1602 2nd Pt. Return Parnass. ii. v. 829 What sir, do you meane at the vnkennelling, vntapezing, or earthing of the Fox? |