unedge

The carpenter unedges the blade of the chisel.

Definition

1. Verb (transitive):
   • To remove the edge of something: "unedge" means to take away the sharp or defined boundary of an object, making it blunt or less distinct.
   • To make dull: In a metaphorical sense, it can mean to reduce the effectiveness or sharpness of something, such as an argument or a tool.

Usage Examples

• Literal:

  • The carpenter used a file to unedge the knife, making it safe for the child to use. (The carpenter removed the knife's sharp edge, making it blunt.)
  • Years of wear had unedged the old stone steps, leaving them smooth and rounded. (The steps lost their sharp corners over time.)

• Figurative:

  • The constant criticism began to unedge his confidence, leaving him unsure of himself. (The criticism dulled or weakened his self-assurance.)
  • Her sharp wit was unedged by the polite company she kept. (Her cleverness was softened or made less biting.)

Advanced Usage

• "to unedge a blade": a common technical phrase in tool maintenance.

  • Before storing the saw, he took care to unedge the blade to prevent accidents. (He intentionally dulled the blade for safety.)

• "unedged remarks": comments that are mild or lacking in sharpness.

  • His speech was full of unedged remarks, avoiding any controversy. (His comments were gentle and not pointed.)

Variants and Related Words

• Unedged (adj): having no edge; blunt or smooth.

  • The unedged scissors could not cut the paper. (The scissors were not sharp.)

• Unedging (n): the act of removing an edge.

  • The unedging of the tool was done carefully to maintain its balance. (The process of dulling the tool.)

Synonyms

• Blunt: to make less sharp or effective.
• Dull: to reduce the sharpness of a blade or point.
• Round off: to remove sharp corners or edges.

Phrasal Verbs

• Unedge down: to gradually make something less sharp.

  • He unedged down the razor to make it safer for shaving. (He slowly dulled the razor's edge.)

• Unedge away: to remove the edge by a process of smoothing.

  • The river current unedged away the rocks over centuries. (The water wore down the rocks' sharp edges.)

Related Idioms

• Take the edge off: to reduce the intensity or sharpness of something (similar in meaning to "unedge").

  • A warm drink can unedge the chill of a cold day. (A warm drink can lessen the cold's sharpness.)

• Lose one's edge: to become less effective or competitive (a metaphorical use of "unedge").

  • After months of inactivity, the athlete unedged his skills. (The athlete's abilities became dulled.)