unfold

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   To undo a folding.

   • to unfold a map; to unfold a tablecloth; She unpacks the new dress and unfolds it carefully.
   • Unfold thy forehead gathered into frowns.
2. 2

   To become unfolded.

   • The curtains unfolded to reveal the stage.
3. 3

   To turn out

   To turn out; to happen; to develop.

   • Events unfolded in an unexpected way.
   • Memento unfolds over 22 scenes—or, more accurately, 22 strands of time, the main strand (in color) moving backward in increments, and another strand (in black and white) going forward, though the two overlap profoundly.
   • The protests in Brazil are unfolding just as its long and heralded economic boom may be coming to an end.
4. ›+ 4 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      To lay open to view or contemplation

      To lay open to view or contemplation; to bring out in all the details, or by successive development; to reveal.

      • to unfold one's designs; to unfold the principles of a science
      • Pity me not, but lend thy serious hearing To what I shall unfold.
      • Unfold the passion of my love.
   2. 5

      To reassemble a line of text that was split across multiple lines.

   3. 6

      In functional programming, a kind of higher-order function that is the opposite of a fold.

   4. 7

      To release from a fold or pen.

      • to unfold sheep

The neighborhood

• synonymuncover
• synonymreveal
• antonymfold