unloose

Etymology

From Middle English unlosen (“to loosen, untie; to uncover, unwrap; to extend; to free, liberate, release; to disengage; to detach oneself; to make (someone) weak; to abolish; to destroy”) [and other forms], from un- (intensifying prefix) + losen (“to free, let loose, release; to loosen, untie; to come undone or unfastened; to open; to relax; to remove; to melt; to resolve; to break up, disintegrate; to detach, disengage; to destroy; to say, tell; to absolve of sin”) (from los (“free; loose, untied; exempt; absolved of sin; inattentive, undisciplined; of the tongue: lacking restraint, unbridled; limp, weak; wavering”), from Old Norse lauss (“loose”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *lewH- (“to separate; to set free; to untie”)). The English word is analysable as un- (intensifying prefix) + loose.

verb

1. (transitive)
   1. (also figurative) To loosen or undo (something that entangles, fastens, holds, or interlocks).
      [T]here was plenty of opportunity to modernise in the years up to 1939, but since then the Second World War and its aftermath of expenditure rigidly controlled by Government held up any progress until at last the purse-strings were unloosed five years ago. But an enormous amount of leeway needs to be made up. 1960 April, Cecil J. Allen, “Locomotive Running Past and Present”, in Trains Illustrated, London: Ian Allan Publishing, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 209
   2. (also figuratively) To relax or slacken (something that clasps or grips, such as the arms or hands).
   3. To free (someone or something) from a constraint; (figurative) to release (something which has been suppressed, such as emotions or objectionable things).
      Press on! for it is godlike to unloose / The spirit, and forget yourself in thought; / Bending a pinion for the deeper sky, / And in the very fetters of your flesh, / Mating with the pure essences of heaven! 1827, N[athaniel] P[arker] Willis, “Extract from a Poem Delivered at the Departure of the Senior Class of Yale College, in 1826”, in Sketches, Boston, Mass.: S[amuel] G[riswold] Goodrich,[…], →OCLC, page 92
   4. (archaic) To remove or take off (especially something undesirable).
2. (intransitive)
   1. To become loose or come off.
   2. (also figurative) To free from a constraint.