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Unhinge Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿคฏ
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unhinge

[สŒnหˆhษชndส’ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

mental health

To cause someone to become mentally unbalanced or disturbed, often as a result of a traumatic experience or emotional shock. It can also refer to the act of removing the hinges from something.

Synonyms

derange, disturb, unsettle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unhinge

This word is typically used to describe someone who has become mentally unbalanced due to stress or traumatic events. It has a strong, often dramatic connotation.

  • The tragic accident unhinged him, and he was never the same again
disturb

This word is used to describe something that causes a person to feel anxious, upset, or uneasy. It is less intense and can refer to temporary feelings.

  • I was disturbed by the graphic scenes in the movie
unsettle

This word is used when something creates a sense of discomfort or unease, often disrupting someone's sense of stability or peace. It can be both mild or slightly stronger.

  • The sudden change in leadership unsettled the employees
derange

This word implies a severe, often permanent mental disorder. It is more intense than the other synonyms and carries a negative connotation.

  • His obsession with perfection began to derange his mind

Examples of usage

  • She was so unhinged by the sudden loss of her job that she couldn't sleep for days.
  • The violent scene in the movie unhinged him, bringing back memories of his own past trauma.
  • If you unhinge the door, it will be easier to transport the furniture.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • In psychological terms, being 'unhinged' can refer to experiencing extreme stress or losing one's grip on reality.
  • People often use 'unhinged' to describe someone acting irrationally or unpredictably due to emotional distress.
  • The concept of unhinging can also relate to how stress can break down mental barriers, causing individuals to react in unexpected ways.

Literature

  • Numerous authors have used the word 'unhinge' to convey a character's psychological breakdown, enhancing the emotional impact of their narratives.
  • In poetry, it can evoke the idea of chaos or transformation, suggesting a break from traditional forms or norms.
  • In modern fiction, characters described as unhinged often symbolize a rebellion against societal expectations or personal struggles.

Pop Culture

  • The term 'unhinged' has been popularized in movies and TV shows to depict characters who lose their composure, creating drama and tension.
  • In recent years, it has also been used in social media to describe public figures or events that seem erratic or unstable.
  • Songs and music videos may use themes of being unhinged to reflect struggles with sanity or emotional turmoil.

Science

  • In physics and engineering, 'unhinging' can metaphorically describe the failure of components to work in harmony, leading to malfunctions.
  • Psychology studies often explore the effects of stress on the human mind, discussing how it can metaphorically unhinge a person's ability to think clearly.
  • Changes in brain chemistry can lead to unhinging of thought patterns, making it a topic of interest in neuroscience.

Origin of 'unhinge'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'unhinge' is formed by adding 'un-' (meaning 'not') to 'hinge', which originally referred to the movable joint on doors.
  • The use of 'unhinge' in the English language dates back to the 16th century, often describing physical doors as well as mental states.
  • In older texts, it indicated causing something to lose its connection or effect, similar to disrupting a mechanism.

The word 'unhinge' originated in the late 17th century, derived from the combination of 'un-' as a prefix meaning 'not' and 'hinge' referring to the movable joint on a door or gate. Over time, the figurative sense of causing mental instability became more prominent. The word has been used in literature and psychology to describe the impact of stress and trauma on mental health.

See also: hinge, hinges.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,353, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.