v. [UN-2 3.] trans. To pull down, destroy, demolish (a building or structure).
1607. Shaks., Cor., III. i. 198. To vnbuild the Citie, and to lay all flat.
1642. T. Goodwin, Zerub., etc., 25. Thou didst unbuild Hierusalem and my Temple.
1684. T. Burnet, Theory Earth, I. 91. God builds and unbuilds worlds: and who shall build up that arch that was broke down at the deluge?
1751. Labelye, Westm. Bridge, 81. Whilst the Arches were unbuilding and taking down.
1820. Shelley, Cloud, 84. I arise and unbuild it again.
1829. Carlyle, Misc. (1857), II. 49. The Ephesian Temple … could be unbuilt by one madman, in a single hour.
1878. Browning, Poets Croisic, 13. Priestesses Unbuilt and then rebuilt it every May.
b. In fig. uses. Also absol.
1640. Habington, Edw. IV., 75. The Almightie … permitted perjurie now to unbuild the greatnesse of Lancaster.
1667. Milton, P. L., VIII. 81. When they come to model Heav’n,… how they will weild The mightie frame, how build, unbuild. Ibid., xii. 526. What will they then … but unbuild His living Temples, built by Faith to stand?
1856. R. A. Vaughan, Mystics (1860), I. V. i. 112. First of all exerting his extraordinary will to the utmost to unbuild his body.
1875. Whitney, Life Lang., iv. 74. The component elements of speech are first unified, then unbuilt and destroyed.
Hence Unbuilding vbl. sb.
1879. Trench, Poems, 155. Build it this time … A holy house,… And we, though in the unbuilding there be pain, Will still affirm,—’tis well.
