v. [UN-2 4 b.]
1. trans. To detach (from a practice).
1622. Mabbe, trans. Aleman’s Guzman d’Alf., I. I. i. 10. From which terrible griping … nothing can vn-hitch them but deaths flesh-hooke.
2. To detach (a horse, etc.) by undoing a fastening: a. From a vehicle, plow, or the like.
1706. Stevens, I. Destravar, to unhitch.
1862. B. Taylor, Home & Abroad, Ser. II. II. iv. 91. While the younger children unhitched and watered the horses.
1884. J. Gilmour, Mongols, i. 2. My Chinese carter,… unhitching his two mules [from the cart], went off and left me in the encampment.
absol. 1887. I. R., Lady’s Ranche Life Montana, 150. So he helped me to unhitch, and I led the horses, while he dragged the buggy across.
b. From something to which its head is tied.
1883. Harper’s Mag., Aug., 386/2. I went out and unhitched the horse, and drove straight home.
3. To detach or unfasten (a thing).
1876. Whyte-Melville, Katerfelto, xxviii. 315. He unhitched his bridle from the garden palings.
1891. Cotes, 2 Girls on Barge, 27. With silent alacrity I unhitched the lamp.
1901. Westm. Gaz., 24 Oct., 7/3. A detachment of the men unhitched the long ladders.
