Unhinging: meaning, definitions and examples

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unhinging

 

[ สŒnหˆhษชล‹ษชล‹ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

literal action

Unhinging refers to the act of removing something from its hinges or support, causing it to become detached. This term is often used in the context of doors or gates, where unhinging allows access to areas that were previously closed off. In a metaphorical sense, it can also refer to the process of destabilizing someone's mental state or emotional balance, indicating a sense of loss of control or grounding.

Synonyms

detach, dislocate, separate

Examples of usage

  • He was unhinging the door to the closet.
  • The strong winds were unhinging the old gate.
  • Her sudden outburst seemed to unhinge him completely.

Translations

Translations of the word "unhinging" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น deslocamento

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค–เฅเคฒเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Abheben

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ memisahkan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะทะฝัั‚ั‚ั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ odczepianie

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅค–ใ‚Œใ‚‹ใ“ใจ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท dรฉverrouillage

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ desenganche

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท รงฤฑkartma

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ถ„๋ฆฌ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ููƒ ุงู„ุงุฑุชุจุงุท

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ uvolnฤ›nรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ uvoฤพnenie

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆ‹†ๅธ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ odstranitev

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ afhjรบpun

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฐะถั‹ั€ะฐั‚ัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฌแƒแƒจแƒšแƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ayฤฑrma

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ desenganche

Etymology

The word 'unhinge' originates from the prefix 'un-', which indicates negation or removal, combined with 'hinge', a physical mechanism commonly found on doors and lids. The term has been in usage since at least the 16th century, reflecting both a literal and a figurative understanding. The earliest known records show its application in describing the act of taking a door off its hinges, often to indicate a significant change or to cause disruption. Over time, the metaphorical use of unhinge evolved to capture a broader emotional and psychological state. In modern usage, it can imply a lack of stability or coherence in a person's thoughts or behavior, suggesting that someone is no longer functioning as expected, akin to a door that no longer swings properly on its hinges.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,931, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.