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to unstow

to unstow

1 8.1
To take something out of where it is kept
  • verb
  • /ʌnˈstoʊ/
translation icon : desempacar
  • I break down the boxes and stack them carefully next to the stove, and when this is done, all that is left unstowed is the pint and the carton of cigarettes.

Examples

  • Tish, unstow the medical kit.

  • Unstow the cargo!

  • Ran unstowed the oar and swept it slowly to each side, canoe-fashion.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Please unstow the equipment we need for the presentation.

  • The crew will unstow the supplies from the storage compartment.

  • After the boat ride, we need to unstow our gear from the hold.

Synonyms

to pull out
vsto unstow
523 2.7

To take something out of a place, often with effort

is the general act of removing items from storage locations
to unload
vsto unstow
125 2.6

Take things or people out of a vehicle like a truck

is general removal, not specifically about vehicles or cargo
to break out
vsto unstow
29 4.0

To take something out of storage to use it

is general removal without implying preparation for immediate use
to uncrate
vsto unstow
1 7.5

Take something out of a box used to carry things

is general removal not tied to a specific container
to unshelve
vsto unstow
6.0

Take a book or product from a shelf

is general removal from storage not limited to shelves
to uncase
vsto unstow
7.8

To take something out of its cover

is removal from storage broadly, not only from a case
to unbag
vsto unstow
4.7

To take things out of a bag

is broader removal not restricted to bags
to unrack
vsto unstow
7.1

To take something off a rack, like a coat or bicycle

is general removal not limited to rack storage
to unlade
vsto unstow
  • Archaic
9.9

To take goods off a vehicle like a ship

is general removal across any storage, not only cargo

Antonyms

57 5.8

Pack things tightly into a small space to save room

How Removed

to empty
179 1.0
to unpack
117 1.0
to unstow
1 8.1
to take out
948 1.9
to pull out
523 2.7

Surface Forms

unstow infinitive
unstowed past
unstowed past participle
unstowing present participle
unstows third person singular

Morphology

unstow = stow (transparent) = un + stow

A standard verbal negation/reversal formed with the productive prefix 'un-' applied to the verb 'stow', so the meaning 'remove from stowage' is directly derived.

Etymology

The word unstow comes from the prefix un- ('reverse' or 'remove') and the verb stow ('to put away'). So, unstow means to 'take out' something that was put away, which is why you unstow luggage or tools when you remove them from storage.