unswathe

unswathe — verb

  • unswathepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • unswathes3rd person singular
  • unswathing-ing form
  • unswathedpast simple

1. to remove a bandage, wrapping, or covering that is tightly wound around someone

1.verbtransitiveC2
Definition

to remove a bandage, wrapping, or covering that is tightly wound around someone or something

Example

After the doctor checked the wound, she carefully unswathed Liam's arm and applied fresh bandages.

object is a body part (arm, leg, etc.)

The museum conservator gently unswathed the ancient linen wrappings from the mummy.

unswathe + [wrapping] + from + [object]

Common collocations
  • unswathe a bandage
  • unswathe a wound
  • unswathe from a covering
Synonyms
  • unwrap

    everyday term for removing a covering from an object; less formal and less specific than unswathe

  • unbind

    focuses on releasing a tie or fastening rather than unwinding a wrap

  • uncover

    broader; means exposing something by removing whatever hides it

Antonyms
  • swathe

    the direct opposite; to wrap or bind tightly

Grammar Patterns

unswathe + noun phrase

unswathe + noun phrase + from + noun phrase

Usage Note

Primarily a literary or formal verb. In everyday speech, 'unwrap', 'uncover', or 'take off' are far more common.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Unwrap is the everyday word for removing paper or covering from a gift or package — it implies nothing about tightness. Unbind suggests releasing something that has been tied with cords or straps. Uncover is the broadest term, meaning to expose something by removing any kind of cover. Unswathe sits apart as a literary, formal verb that specifically describes unwinding a tight wrapping, such as a bandage or cloth that envelops something closely. For example, a child unwraps a birthday present, archaeologists unswathe a mummy, and a doctor may unswathe a wound before changing the dressing.

unwrap ↗unbinduncover ↗unswathe ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

Formed from the Old English prefix 'un-' (meaning 'reversal of an action') and 'swathe' (from Old English 'swaþian', meaning 'to wrap or bind'). The prefix reverses the action of swathing, giving the word its meaning of freeing something from a tight wrapping.

First known use

14th century

14th century, in the meaning defined above