unkennel

[ uhn-ken-l ]

verb (used with object)

, un·ken·neled, un·ken·nel·ing or (especially British) un·ken·nelled, un·ken·nel·ling.

1. to drive (a fox or other animal) from a den or lair.
2. to release from or as if from a kennel:

   to unkennel hounds before a hunt; to unkennel a gang of cutthroats.

3. to make known; disclose or uncover.

verb (used without object)

, un·ken·neled, un·ken·nel·ing or (especially British) un·ken·nelled, un·ken·nel·ling.

1. to come out of a kennel, den, lair, or the like.

unkennel

/ ʌnˈkɛnəl /

verb

1. to release from a kennel
2. to drive from a hole or lair
3. rare.
   to bring to light

Word History and Origins

Origin of unkennel¹

First recorded in 1570–80; un- ² + kennel ¹

Example Sentences

Unkennel, un-ken′el, v.t. to drive from a kennel or hole: to rouse from secrecy or retreat.

From Project Gutenberg

But, earth them as they will, I shall unkennel them, and from their holes Drag them to light and justice.”

From Project Gutenberg

But the Devil, who never speaks Truth, but with some sinister End, was discover’d here and detected; his flattering Recognition not accepted, and he himself unkennel’d as he deserv’d; there the Devil was over-shot in his own Bow again.

From Project Gutenberg

However, at sunrise our company mustered; And here was the huntsman bidding unkennel, And there 'neath his bonnet the pricker blustered, With feather dank as a bough of wet fennel;335 For the courtyard walls were filled with fog You might have cut as an ax chops a log— Like so much wool for color and bulkiness; And out rode the Duke in a perfect sulkiness, Since, before breakfast, a man feels but queasily,340 And a sinking at the lower abdomen Begins the day with indifferent omen.

From Project Gutenberg

Now Richard heard that Richmond was assisted and ashore, And like unkennel'd Cerberus, the crookèd tyrant swore, And all complexions act at once confusedly in him: He studieth, striketh, threats, entreats, and looketh mildly grim, Mistrustfully he trusteth, and he dreadingly did dare, And forty passions in a trice, in him consort and square.

From Project Gutenberg