To twist or turn something in the opposite direction to remove a screw or loosen something that was screwed tight.
From 'un-' (reverse action) + 'screw' (a fastener that spirals in). 'Screw' comes from Old French 'escroue,' possibly derived from Latin 'scrofa' (sow), because of the spiral shape.
The screw was one of humanity's greatest inventions because it converts spinning motion into gripping force—you use unscrew dozens of times daily without realizing you're applying ancient mechanical genius.
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