unwrap (v.)

late 14c., from un- (2) "opposite of" + wrap (v.). Related: Unwrapped; unwrapping.

Entries linking to unwrap

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)).

wrap (v.)

early 14c., wrappen, "to wind (something around something else), cover (something), conceal; bind up, swaddle; fold (something) up or back on itself," of uncertain origin, perhaps via Scandinavian (compare Danish dialectal vravle "to wind"), from PIE *werp- "to turn, wind," from root *wer- (2) "to turn, bend." Or perhaps a variant of lap (v.2). To wrap up "put an end to" is from 1926. Related: Wrapped; wrapping. Wrapping paper is from 1715.

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updated on October 14, 2021

Definitions of unwrap from WordNet

unwrap (v.)

remove the outer cover or wrapping of;

Let's unwrap the gifts!

Synonyms: undo

unwrap (v.)

make known to the public information that was previously known only to a few people or that was meant to be kept a secret;

unwrap the evidence in the murder case

Synonyms: disclose / let on / bring out / reveal / discover / expose / divulge / break / give away / let out / uncover

From wordnet.princeton.edu, not affiliated with etymonline.

Dictionary entries near unwrap

unwonted

unworkable

unworldly

unworthy

unwound

unwrap

unwritten

unyielding

unzip

up-