to unclamp - Glite Dictionary

Examples

After the surgery, the doctors decided to unclamp the artery to restore normal blood flow.
The technician will unclamp the device to allow for better movement.
Immediately, the carotid arteries (internal and common) were unclamped.

Academic text (2007)
She carefully unclamped the apparatus, releasing it from the table for further adjustments.

Synonyms

to loosen

vsto unclamp

83 3.3

Make rules or limits less strict

is more about removing a tight physical or strict limiter instead of easing

to unbind

vsto unclamp

3 6.4

To free something by untying ropes or cords

focuses on removing a fixed restraining limiter rather than just untying

to unblock

vsto unclamp

3 3.1

Remove something that stops a pipe, machine, or blood vessel from working

focuses on removing a tight limiter rather than just clearing a blockage

to untether

vsto unclamp

1 6.2

To free someone or something from limits so they can act more freely

allows wider movement by removing a fixed restraining limiter

to unconstrain

vsto unclamp

1 7.4

To take away rules or limits so it can work more freely

is the same but stresses freeing by removing a tight physical or figurative limiter

to unloose

vsto unclamp

Archaic

1 7.0

To make something less tight or set something free

is about removing a tight fastening restraint to allow wider movement

to derestrict

vsto unclamp

8.6

To remove limits from something so people can use it freely

does the same but with broader physical or nonlegal limits

to unloosen

vsto unclamp

Archaic

7.2

To make something less tight or free it from something holding it

focuses on taking away a tight restraining limiter rather than mild easing

to uncap

vsto unclamp

4.8

Remove a limit on prices or fees

is more general, removing any physical or figurative tight limiter

to unstop

vsto unclamp

6.0

To remove a block that stops ideas or feelings from coming out

is aimed at taking away fixed restraining limits to allow freer range

to unchoke

vsto unclamp

6.7

To remove a block so water or air can flow again

is broader, about freeing from a tight restraining limiter for more range

Antonyms

to restrict

361 3.1

Limit how much people can use or access something

to clamp

47 3.3

Fasten something tightly to keep it from moving

How Released

to liberate

104 4.3

to unclamp

1 5.3

to ease

305 2.1

to loosen

88 1.0

Surface Forms

unclamp infinitive

unclamped past

unclamped past participle

unclamping present participle

unclamps third person singular

Morphology

unclamp = clamp (transparent) = un + clamp

The figurative sense is formed by the same productive prefix 'un-' + 'clamp', extending the literal 'remove a clamp' to 'remove restriction', which remains predictable.

Etymology

A helpful way to remember unclamp is to think of taking a clamp off a pipe so it can move. The word comes from un- 'remove' and clamp 'hold something tightly', so to unclamp a rule or limit is to remove that hold and give more freedom.