unhand (v.)

c. 1600, "to release from one's grasp," from un- (2) "opposite of" + hand (v.).

Entries linking to unhand

prefix of reversal, deprivation, or removal (as in unhand, undo, unbutton), Old English on-, un-, from Proto-Germanic *andi- (source also of Old Saxon ant-, Old Norse and-, Dutch ont-, Old High German ant-, German ent-, Gothic and- "against"), from PIE *anti "facing opposite, near, in front of, before, against" (from PIE root *ant- "front, forehead," with derivatives meaning "in front of, before").

More or less confused with un- (1) through similarity in the notions of "negation" and "reversal;" an adjective such as unlocked might represent "not locked" (un- (1)) or the past tense of unlock (un- (2)).

hand (v.)

c. 1400, "take charge of, seize," from hand (n.). Earlier verbs were hend (Old English genehdan), handle. Meaning "to pass (something to someone)" is from 1640s. To hand it to (someone) "acknowledge someone's ability or superiority" is slang from 1906, the it perhaps meant to suggest a trophy cup, award, etc. Related: Handed; handing.

Others are reading

Share unhand

‘cite’

Page URL:

https://www.etymonline.com/word/unhand

HTML Link:

<a href="https://www.etymonline.com/word/unhand">Etymology of unhand by etymonline</a>

APA style:

Harper, D. (n.d.). Etymology of unhand. Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved $(datetime), from https://www.etymonline.com/word/unhand

Chicago style:

Harper Douglas, “Etymology of unhand,” Online Etymology Dictionary, accessed $(datetime), https://www.etymonline.com/word/unhand.

MLA style:

Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of unhand.” Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/word/unhand. Accessed $(datetimeMla).

IEEE style:

D. Harper. “Etymology of unhand.” Online Etymology Dictionary. https://www.etymonline.com/word/unhand (accessed $(datetime)).

Definitions of unhand

unhand (v.)

remove the hand from;

From wordnet.princeton.edu

Dictionary entries near unhand

unguent

unguided

ungulate

unhallowed

unhampered

unhand

unhappily

unhappiness

unhappy

unharmed

unharness