Untwined: meaning, definitions and examples
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untwined
[ ʌnˈtwaɪnd ]
past tense
Untwined is the past tense of the verb 'untwine,' which means to separate or uncoil something that has been twisted together. It often refers to removing the twists or knots from ropes, vines, or other materials. Untwined can also colloquially describe the act of breaking apart things that are closely connected.
Synonyms
disentangle, unravel, untangle
Examples of usage
- She untwined the threads from the fabric.
- He carefully untwined the cords from the tangled mess.
- The gardener untwined the vines that had wrapped around the trellis.
Etymology
The word 'untwined' comes from the combination of the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' or 'the opposite of,' and the root word 'twine,' which originates from the Old English 'twīnan,' meaning 'to twist or to turn.' The evolution of the word reflects the natural process of reversing the act of twisting or intertwining. Throughout its history, the term has maintained its fundamental meaning related to unraveling or detaching items that were previously interwoven. In various contexts, it has been applied not only to physical objects like strings or ropes but also metaphorically to describe the disentangling of complex relationships or situations. The use of 'untwined' has become common in both literature and everyday speech, symbolizing clarity and freedom in both literal and figurative senses.