[UN-2 3.] trans. To untwist (a rope) into separate strands.

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1726.  Shelvocke, Voy. round World, 436. Till we could unlay our best cable to make more.

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1748.  Anson’s Voy., II. ii. 135. We were … obliged to unlay a cable to work into running rigging.

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1831.  Jane Porter, Sir E. Seaward’s Narr., I. 123. I also took thence a piece of rope, which I unlaid.

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c. 1860.  H. Stuart, Seaman’s Catech., 28. Unlay the other two strands.

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