uncapv.
/(ˌ)ʌnˈkap/, /(ˌ)ʌŋˈkap/, U.S. /ˌənˈkæp/ 1. transitive. To remove the cap from (the head or a person). Also absol.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > providing with clothing > undressing or removing clothing > undress or remove clothing [verb (transitive)] > strip or undress a person > divest of specific garments > headgear > cap
cap1553
uncap1566
uncoif1598
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > providing with clothing > undressing or removing clothing > undress or remove clothing [verb (intransitive)] > remove specific garments > headgear
disvisor1548
capa1555
unmask1562
vail1597
off-capa1616
unbonnet1810
uncap1875
uncasque1880
1566 W. Painter Palace of Pleasure I. li. f. 301v All they that weare hornes, be pardoned to weare their cappes... For they be so sweete and pleasaunt, as they vncappe no man.
1598 J. Florio Worlde of Wordes Sberettare, to vncap, to put off hat or cap.
1836 L. Hunt Bodryddan in Poems 98 The gard'ner..Uncapp'd his bent old silver hair.
1875 H. James Transatlantic Sketches 247 I felt really like uncapping, with a kind of reverence.
2. To divest (a thing) of a cap or covering.
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the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > uncovering > uncover or remove covering from [verb (transitive)]
unlidOE
abareOE
discovera1382
uncoverc1410
unwlapa1425
unmantle1598
dismantle1604
uncowl1611
unface1611
unquilt1611
uncase1643
uncap1688
tirl naked1721
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory (1905) iii. xix. 170/2 The Words of command for the pistolls. 1. Vncape your pistolls. 2. Draw forth your pistoll.
1711 Mil. & Sea Dict. (ed. 4) Uncap your Cartridges, Is to take off the Top of the Paper, which is folded down at the End, that so the Powder may fall loose to the Touch-hole.
1743 W. Ellis Mod. Husbandman Oct. v. 28 Farmers are emboldened to let their Wheat stand..in the Field without uncapping.
1859 J. M. Jephson & L. Reeve Narr. Walking Tour Brittany 88 Mr. Taylor was watching eagerly for a sign from me to uncap the lenses.
1859 F. A. Griffiths Artillerist's Man. (1862) 112 No. 3 loads, assists to ram home, elevates, uncaps fuze when in bore.
Draft additions 1993
b. figurative. To reveal or release (an emotion, etc.).
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the mind > emotion > aspects of emotion > manifestation of emotion > manifest or exhibit (emotions) [verb (transitive)]
canOE
demeanc1400
pourc1451
expand1656
vend1682
demonstrate1800
emote1927
uncap1980
society > communication > manifestation > disclosure or revelation > disclose or reveal [verb (transitive)] > thoughts or feelings
unbuttonc1325
unbreast1559
unbosom1598
unbowel1649
eccentricate1708
to nail one's colours (also flag) to the mast (also masthead)1808
disbosom1868
unzip1939
uncap1980
1980 Business Week 16 June 74/3 (headline) Coke uncaps a surprise.
1982 Time 1 Feb. 59/1 Last week he uncapped his most stunning announcement.
1985 Chicago Tribune 21 Dec. 10/1 Top diplomats rarely allow their tempers to flare in public. They prefer to uncap their pique in icy words and stern facades.
1986 Washington Post 17 May a15/4 Duvalier's abrupt departure..uncapped many tensions that have seethed for decades below the surface in Haiti.
Draft additions 1993
3. U.K. Finance. To remove an upper limit or restriction on the value of (a currency).
ΚΠ
1978 Economist 6 May 22/2 Last summer's great inflow of foreign money, which eventually forced the authorities to uncap sterling, has not all flowed out again.
1984 Financial Times 9 May 22/2 The European monetary authorities appear to have decided to uncap the dollar for the time being.
1988 Times 7 Apr. 21/2 The decision was taken on March 4 to ‘uncap’ sterling by removing the unofficial DM3 ceiling.
1988 Observer 10 Apr. 58 (headline) How Thatcher uncapped the £.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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