unreeve

A sailor unreeves a thick rope from a ship's pulley.

Definition

1. Verb (transitive):

   • To withdraw or remove (a rope) from a pulley, block, or similar device: "unreeve" means to pull a rope back through a sheave or hole, reversing the process of reeving (threading) it.
   • To disengage or detach from a system: In a broader sense, to separate a rope or cable from its rigging or mechanical arrangement.

2. Verb (intransitive):

   • To become detached or slip out: "unreeve" can describe a rope that comes out of a pulley or block on its own, often due to slack or improper tension.

Usage Examples

• Transitive:

  • The sailor had to unreeve the halyard to replace the worn section. (The sailor removed the rope from the pulley to repair it.)
  • Before storing the block, carefully unreeve the line to avoid tangles. (Pull the rope out of the pulley system before putting it away.)

• Intransitive:

  • The rope unreeved when the tension was released suddenly. (The rope slipped out of the pulley when the force was removed.)
  • Check that the line does not unreeve during operation. (Ensure the rope does not become detached from the block while in use.)

Advanced Usage

• "to unreeve a tackle": to dismantle a system of ropes and pulleys by removing the rope.

  • The crew was instructed to unreeve the tackle after the heavy lifting was complete. (They were told to take apart the rope-and-pulley assembly.)

• "to unreeve a line": a specific nautical term for taking a rope out of a block or sheave.

  • He unreeved the mainsheet to clean the block thoroughly. (He removed the rope from the pulley to access it for cleaning.)

Variants and Related Words

• Reeve (verb): to thread a rope through a pulley, block, or hole.

  • The sailor reeved the new line through the block. (He threaded the rope into the pulley.)

• Unreeving (present participle): the act of removing a rope from a pulley.

  • Unreeving the rope requires careful handling to avoid twists. (The process of pulling the rope out must be done with attention.)

Synonyms

• Withdraw: to pull back or remove from a position.
• Disengage: to release or separate from a connection.
• Extract: to take out, especially by effort or force.

Related Idioms

• "to unreeve a knot": (rare, figurative) to unravel a complicated situation or problem.
  • The diplomat worked to unreeve the tangled negotiations. (He tried to resolve the complex issues.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Unreeve from: to remove a rope from a specific object.

  • He unreeved the rope from the block. (He took the rope out of the pulley.)

• Unreeve off: (less common) to detach by pulling away.

  • The line unreeved off the winch. (The rope slipped off the winding device.)