unbandage

The nurse carefully unbandages the patient's healed wound.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To remove a bandage from: "unbandage" means to take off or undo a bandage that has been applied to a wound, injury, or body part.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • The nurse carefully unbandaged the patient's arm to check the wound. (The nurse removed the bandage to examine the injury.)
  • After three days, it was time to unbandage his sprained ankle. (The bandage was taken off the swollen ankle.)
  • Do not unbandage the cut too soon, or it may reopen. (Removing the bandage prematurely could cause harm.)

Advanced Usage

• "to unbandage a fracture": to remove a cast or splint used to immobilize a broken bone.
  • The doctor unbandaged the broken leg after the X-ray showed healing. (The cast or supportive wrapping was taken off.)
• "to unbandage carefully": to perform the action with caution to avoid pain or further injury.
  • She unbandaged the wound slowly, watching for any signs of infection. (The bandage was removed gently and attentively.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bandage (n/v): a strip of material used to bind a wound or injury; to apply such a strip.
  • He put a bandage on the cut. (He covered the wound with a strip.)
• Unbandaged (adj): having had the bandage removed.
  • The unbandaged arm was now exposed to air. (The arm was no longer covered.)
• Rebandage (v): to apply a new bandage after removing the old one.
  • The nurse had to rebandage the wound after cleaning it. (She put on a fresh bandage.)

Synonyms

• Remove a dressing: to take off a medical covering.
• Undo a wrap: to loosen or take off a binding.
• Take off a bandage: to detach the bandage from the body.

Phrasal Verbs

• Take off: to remove (a bandage or covering).
  • The doctor told him to take off the bandage after two days. (Remove it.)
• Remove from: to take something off a surface or body part.
  • She removed the bandage from his leg. (She unbandaged his leg.)

Related Idioms

• Let the air get to it: to expose a wound to air after removing a bandage.
  • After unbandaging the scrape, she let the air get to it to help it heal. (She allowed the wound to breathe.)
• Off with the old: a playful way to suggest removing an old bandage.
  • "Off with the old bandage," he said, as he began to unbandage his finger. (He started removing the old covering.)