v. [UN-2 4. Cf. MDu onthoveden, onthoofden (also Du.), MLG. enthoveden, MHG. enthoubeten, -houpten (G. enthaupten).]
1. trans. To behead (a person).
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, I. (Peter), 377. For, lo, as I vnhevdyt wes,… Þe thrid day, as I sad to þe, I am resine. Ibid., xxxi. (Eugenia), 432. Scho … gert þe lord þe ȝerle ta, &… At hyr tysinge gert hyme vnhed.
a. 1704. T. Brown, Wks. (1720), II. 260. You … did not only dare to uncrown, but to unhead a Monarch.
a. 1734. North, Exam., III. vii. § 98 (1740), 580. Legs and Arms lay scattered about, Heads undressed, and Bodies unheaded.
2. To deprive or divest of a head, top, or end.
1611. Florio, Scapezzare, to vntop, to vnhead, to shred or lop trees on the top.
1725. Fam. Dict., s.v. Verjuice, And when you have a mind to have your Verjuice you must unhead the Barrel, and you will find it very good.
1778. W. Pryce, Min. Cornub., 98. They often meet with a Cross-Gossan, which … unheads and breaks off the continuity of the Lode they work upon.
1843. Tizard, Brewing, 473. When steam is not to be had, stinking casks need unheading.
