Dictionary

unnestle en · VERB

Etymology

From un- + nestle.

Meanings

1. (archaic, transitive) To eject from a comfortable situation; to unnest or drive out.
   • And lest any man should think her intent was to unnestle ill neighbours, and not to aid good neighbours, or that she was readier to restore what was invaded by others than to render what was in her own hands; see if the time provided not a new occasion afterwards, when through their own division, without the intermise of strangers, her forces were again sought and required; she forsook them not, prevailed so far as to be possessed of the castle of Edinburgh, the principal strength of that kingdom, with peace, incontinently, without cunctations or cavillations, the preambles of a wavering faith, she rendered with all honour and security; and his person to safe and faithful hands; and so ever after during his minority continued his principal guardian and protector. a. 1603, Francis Bacon, Discourse in the Praise of Queen Elizabeth:
   • But Ædituus cried to him, Hold, hold, honest friend! strike, wound, poison, kill, and murder all the kings and princes in the world, by treachery or how thou wilt, and as soon as thou wouldst unnestle the angels from their cockloft. 1849, François Rabelais, translated by Thomas Urquhart and Motteux, The Five Books of the Lives and Deeds of Gargantua and Pantagruel:
   • For I find, that is the only way to unnestle his lordship. 1846, John Hill Burton, Life and Correspondence of David Hume, page 159:

Forms