v. [UN-2 4 b.]
1. trans. a. To undo the links of (a chain, etc.). Also refl., fig., and in fig. context.
1600. Shaks., A. Y. L., IV. iii. 112. About his necke A greene and guilded snake had wreath’d it selfe…: but sodainly Seeing Orlando, it vnlink’d it selfe.
1635. Quarles, Embl., V. ix. 7. I cannot mount till thou unlink my chaine.
a. 1670. Rust, Disc. Truth (1682), 185. It will unlink and break that chain and method of Gods Decrees.
1822–56. De Quincey, Confess. (1862), 154. Those fatally tortuous paths of which the windings can never be unlinked.
1890. Talmage, From Manger to Throne, 639. The chain of the most tremendous natural law is unlinked.
b. To detach, set free, by undoing or unfastening a link or chain. Also refl., absol., and fig.
1655. R. Crab, in Harl. Misc. (1809), IV. 483. Those that will not unlink themselves from the world.
a. 1680. Charnock, Attrib. God (1834), II. 395. He doth … correct those actions, that unlink the mutual assistance between man and man.
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, III. xix. (Roxb.), 153/1. March to your horses. Vnlink your horses. Fasten your links.
1796. Instr. & Reg. Cavalry (1813), 235. The men move up to their horses, and unlink. Ibid. Unlink Horses!
1802. J. Baillie, 2nd Pt. Ethwald, IV. iii. (Stage direction. The chiefs instantly let go hands…) Her. Ha! have I then so suddenly unlink’d you?
1849. H. Mayo, Pop. Superst. (1851), 79. The attention … is unlinked from the other faculties.
2. intr. To lose connection; to part; to become relaxed.
1641. Milton, Ch. Govt., I. v. 15. To make a King a type, we say is an abusive and unskilful speech…. Therefore your typical chaine of King and Priest must unlink.
1786. W. Gilpin, in Mrs. Delany’s Life & Corr. (1862), III. 372. We travelled amicably, arm in arm,… we had not one occasion to unlink.
1806. H. Siddons, Maid, Wife, & Widow, III. 44. He felt her arms unlink, and saw that a convulsive fit had put an end to all her recollections.
