unmuzzlev.
/(ˌ)ʌnˈmʌzl/, U.S. /ˌənˈməzəl/ 1. transitive. To free from a constraint, esp. a restriction on free speech. Cf. muzzle n.1 3.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > liberation > set free [verb (transitive)] > free from restraint
ungyve1531
unlock1531
unbuckle1548
unpen1561
unmanacle1582
unmuzzlec1585
unseal1589
dischain1603
unshackle1611
to let out1613
uncage1620
unfreeze1637
loosen1645
unconfine1651
unsequester1664
unbay1687
uncurb1729
unbind1735
unleash1822
disenchain1853
c1585 Let. of Estate in Notes & Queries (1981) Feb. 24/1 Yett hath hee so unlinked and unmoseled him selfe as where hee bightes the remedie is curelesse.
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) i. ii. 67 Cel. How proue you that in the great heape of your knowledge? Ros. I marry, now vnmuzzle your wisedome. View more context for this quotation
a1644 F. Quarles Solomons Recantation (1645) Sol. vi. 29 Why Did that corrected Twilight of his eye Vnmussle darknesse, and with morning light Redeeme the day from new baptized night?
1791 E. Burke Let. to Member National Assembly in Wks. (1823) VI. 43 The hell-hounds of war, on all sides, will be uncoupled and unmuzzled.
1854 R. W. Emerson Soc. Aims in Wks. (1906) III. 181 Beware of unmuzzling a valetudinarian.
1907 S. Low & L. C. Sanders Hist. Eng. During Reign Victoria ix. 195 Lord Derby objected to ‘unmuzzling’ the Roman catholics, and the expression gave great offence.
2011 Toronto Star (Nexis) 1 May a16 Their leaders should press Assad..to unmuzzle the media and to allow democratic reform.
2. transitive. To free (a dog, etc.) from a muzzle; to remove the muzzle from.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > general equipment > [verb (transitive)] > muzzle > unmuzzle
unmuzzle1606
1606 L. Bryskett Disc. Ciuill Life 236 He discouered his dogs subtiltie, and saw him vnmuzzle himselfe, go abroade, and returne.
1639 T. de Gray Compl. Horseman ii. xvi. 280 Put a muzell upon his mouth..and the next morning unmusell him.
1650 Man in Moon No. 40. 319 Let them desist from their game, lest next Weeke I unmuzzle Towzer, and he shew them a Dog-trick.
1775 H. B. Dudley Rival Candidates i. ii. 7 I've unmuzzled Dragon, and am going to let him loose in the back yard.
1891 Daily News 22 Jan. 3/7 Her dog was muzzled. They unmuzzled him when they got home.
1949 H. E. Bolton Coronado xx. 231 When he wished, terror that he was, he unmuzzled greyhounds who tore his enemies in pieces.
1991 Daily Tel. 22 Aug. 9/5 Thompson..unmuzzled his dog because his friends claimed it looked ‘cissyish’.
Derivatives
unˈmuzzling n.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > liberation > [noun] > from restraint
unmanacling1635
unmuzzling1769
unchaining1828
unbucklinga1859
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > keeping dogs or cats > [noun] > keeping or affinity with dogs > dog-training
field training1836
unmuzzling1898
obedience training1936
1769 H. Brooke Fool of Quality IV. xvii. 110 A licentious unmuzzling from all restraint.
1898 Daily News 2 Dec. 5/1 The unmuzzling of London dogs.
1932 H. G. Barker Let. 14 Sept. in C. B. Purdom Harley Granville Barker (1971) iv. 239 An unmuzzling for a couple of years.
2010 Observer (Nexis) 16 May (Review section) 44 One positive outcome from the departure of Gordon Brown and New Labour from Downing Street must be the unmuzzling of Alastair Campbell.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2014; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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