Unstick: meaning, definitions and examples
π
unstick
[ ΚnΛstΙͺk ]
removing adhesion
To unstick means to separate something that is stuck or attached. This action is often used to describe getting an object or a part of something free from another.
Synonyms
detach, disengage, release, separate.
Examples of usage
- I had to unstick the glue from my fingers.
- She tried to unstick the paper from the table.
- He needs to unstick the jammed drawer.
- They managed to unstick the tire from the mud.
- Can you help me unstick this tape from the wall?
Etymology
The word 'unstick' is formed by adding the prefix 'un-' to the verb 'stick', which originates from the Old English 'stician', meaning 'to pierce, to fasten'. The prefix βun-β typically conveys the opposite or reversal of the action indicated by the verb. Therefore, 'unstick' relates to the process of reversing the act of sticking or adhering. This term has become increasingly common in modern vernacular, especially in contexts related to everyday problems such as fixing items or resolving issues where something is bound or stuck. The transition from purely physical applications, like ungluing something, to more metaphorical uses, such as unstick a project, reflects the flexibility of the English language and its capacity to describe both tangible and abstract challenges.