Unfolding: meaning, definitions and examples

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unfolding

 

[ สŒnหˆfoสŠldษชล‹ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

physical action

Unfolding refers to the action of spreading out something that was previously folded, making it flat or visible. This term is commonly used for paper, fabric, or any material that can be bent or creased. In a broader sense, it can also refer to revealing or disclosing information that was hidden or not previously apparent. The process of unfolding can be both literal and metaphorical, such as unfolding a story or revealing the layers of a complex idea.

Synonyms

expand, open, reveal, spread.

Examples of usage

  • She began unfolding the map.
  • He unfolded the origami crane carefully.
  • The plot of the novel is unfolding gradually.
  • Unfold the blanket and spread it on the grass.

Translations

Translations of the word "unfolding" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น desdobramento

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค–เฅเคฒเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Entfaltung

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ membuka

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั€ะพะทะณะพั€ั‚ะฐะฝะฝั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ rozwijanie

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅฑ•้–‹ (ใฆใ‚“ใ‹ใ„)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท dรฉploiement

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ despliegue

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท aรงฤฑlma

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ „๊ฐœ (jeongae)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูุชุญ (fath)

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ rozvinutรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ rozvinutie

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅฑ•ๅผ€ (zhวŽnkฤi)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ razvijanje

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ รบtbreiรฐsla

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฐัˆัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ’แƒแƒฎแƒกแƒœแƒ (gakhvna)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ aรงฤฑlma

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ despliegue

Etymology

The word 'unfolding' is derived from the Middle English 'unfolden', which is a combination of the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' or 'the opposite of', and 'folden', which comes from Old English 'fealdan'. This etymology captures the essence of the word; to 'unfold' literally means to do the opposite of folding. The action of folding something typically connotes compactness or concealment, while unfolding connotes expansion or revelation. Throughout the centuries, the term has been employed in various contexts, from the literal unfolding of physical objects, like paper and clothing, to the more abstract notion of unfolding ideas, plans, and narratives. Today, 'unfolding' is utilized in both everyday language and in specialized fields such as literature, where it describes the development of plot and character, and in science, to describe processes that progress or reveal as they occur.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,586, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.