v. [UN-2 4 b.]
1. trans. To unfasten the buckle of (a shoe, belt, etc.); to undo or set free in this way.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Sqr.’s T., 555. Ne neuere … Ne koude man … Countrefete the Sophymes of his Art Ne were worthy vnbokelen his galoche.
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. XX. 63. He vnbokelede hus boteles, and boþe he a-tamede.
c. 1430. Pilgr. Lyf Manhode, I. cxxxviii. (1869), 72. Thanne the bocle j vnboclede.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, X. lx. 516. Soo the varlet wente to vnbockel his helme.
1548. Udall, etc., Erasm. Par. Luke iii. 32 b. I … am vnworthy to vnbuccle the latchet of his shooes.
1577. Test. 12 Patriarchs (1604), 90. The young man unbuckled Joseph’s shoes at the gate.
1606. Shaks., Ant. & Cl., IV. iv. 12. He that vnbuckles this, till we do please To daft for our Repose, shall heare a storme.
1755. Young, Centaur, v. Wks. 1757, IV. 223. This is a militant state; nor must man unbuckle his armour, till he puts on his shroud.
1820. Scott, Monast., vi. He is like a miser, who will not unbuckle his purse to bestow a farthing.
1860. Froude, Hist. Eng., V. 389. Dropping his cloak he unbuckled his sword.
1886. C. E. Pascoe, London of To-day, i. (ed. 3), 23. The Major … fell to unbuckling the straps of his trunk.
b. In fig. context. (Cf. MAIL sb.3 1 c.)
c. 1386. Chaucer, Miller’s Prologue, 7. This gooth aright vnbokeled is the Male; Lat se now who shal telle another tale.
a. 1400. Partonope, 7308. Of þi woo vnbocle þi male, And tell me all the verey trouþe.
a. 1600. Deloney, Gentle Craft, II. viii. Wks. (1912), 186. Neuer be afraid man to vnbuckle Your Budget of close counsell to me.
1805. Ann. Rev., III. 164. We much doubt whether any one, not educated in the catholic schools, could have detected where the collar may best be unbuckled.
c. fig. To free or separate from; to open up, display; to detach, break off.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. VI., 177 b. This noble realme … shall neuer be vnbuckeled from her quotidian feuer.
1638. Brathwait, Barnabees Jrnl. (1818), 191. Some comfort unbuckle, my sweet honeysuckle.
1736. [Chetwood], Voy. Vaughan (1760), I. 264. The congregation immediately unbuckled their Devotions, and were crouding out as fast as they cou’d.
2. absol. To undo the buckle or buckles of a belt, garment, etc.
1611. Beaum. & Fl., King & No King, III. Why do you wear a Sword then? Come unbuckle … Unbuckle I say, and give it me.
1611. Shaks., Wint. T., IV. iv. 659. Vnbuckle, vnbuckle. Fortunate Mistresse … you must retire your selfe Into some Couert.
1649. Davenant, Love & Hon., I. i. 160. Unbuckle, Calladine, the day is hott.
1836. Dickens, Sk. Boz, Gt. Winglebury Duel. Up started the ostlers … unstrapping, and unchaining, and unbuckling.
b. transf. To become slack.
1648. J. Beaumont, Psyche, XIII. clxxxii. His Joints unbuckled; and his Eyes did start; His hair stood staring up.
c. fig. To unbend, become less stiff.
1886. Stevenson, Kidnapped, viii. Even the captain … would sometimes unbuckle a bit, and tell me of the fine countries he had visited.
Hence Unbuckling vbl. sb.
1598. Florio, Sfibbiatura, an vnbuckling, an vnlacing.
a. 1859. De Quincey, Posth. Wks. (1891), I. 272. Through the unbuckling of human nature under higher inspirations.
