Unhand

/ʌnˈhænd/ verb

Definition

to release someone from your grip or let go of them.

Etymology

From Old English 'hand' combined with the prefix 'un-' meaning 'reverse' or 'undo.' The word literally means to reverse the action of handing or holding something.

Kelly Says

This word is pure Shakespeare—it appears in famous scenes where characters dramatically demand freedom from someone's grasp, like 'Unhand me, villain!' It's the theatrical opposite of 'grab.'

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