v. [UN-2 4.] To divest of a robe or robes: a. trans. or refl. Also const. of.
1598. Florio, Spogliare,… to disaray, to vnrobe.
1687. in Magd. Coll. & Jas. II. (O.H.S.), 25. Several went into the outward Chapel to unrobe themselves.
1711. G. Hickes, Two Treat. Chr. Priesth. (1847), II. 290. He robed and unrobed himself in his throne.
1797. Coleridge, Christabel, I. xxvi. But now unrobe yourself; for I Must pray, ere yet in bed I lie.
1838. Eliza Cook, Love’s First Dream, iii. It fades…; Leaving the spirit, unrobed of light, in darkness and tears behind.
1850. R. G. Cumming, Hunter’s Life S. Afr., xii. I. 263. I considered myself … fortunate in having secured so noble a specimen of the lion,… and I at once set men to work to unrobe him.
1874. Spurgeon, Treas. Dav., lxxxii. 7. How quickly death unrobes the great!
b. absol. (for refl.).
1743. Young, Nt. Th., IV. 44. When, on their exit, souls are bid unrobe,… And drop this mask of flesh behind the scene.
1766. Entick, London, IV. 117. There is no vestry room for the minister to robe and unrobe.
1837. McCulloch, Acc. Brit. Empire, II. 240. The Lords also adjourn … to unrobe.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xv. III. 574. The King … unrobed, took his seat,… and listened … to the debate.
Hence Unrobing ppl. a.
1810. Montgomery, West Indies, etc., 157. Still the unrobing spirit cast Diviner glories to the last.
