unstring

[ uhn-string ]

/ ʌnˈstrɪŋ /

to deprive of strings: to unstring a violin.

to take from a string: to unstring beads.

to loosen the strings of: to unstring a bow.

to relax the tension of.

to relax unduly, or weaken (the nerves).

to weaken the nerves of.

Origin of unstring

First recorded in 1605–15; un-² + string

He paused long enough to unstring the bow and put it back in the quiver.

The Pirates of Shan |Harold Leland Goodwin
"Now I pray thee to unstring it again," handing it to the bowman.

Sir Nigel |Arthur Conan Doyle
Unstring thy strong bows for the sake of our liberal lords, O bounteous Rudra, be gracious to our kith and kin.

Sacred Books of the East |Various
The similar fevers and exasperations of factory life lead the workers to unstring their tense nerves with liquor.

The Art Of The Moving Picture |Vachel Lindsay

There are wicked philosophers abroad who unstring the bow of harder toil by picking your inmost thoughts!

Curiosities of Civilization |Andrew Wynter

unstring

/ (ʌnˈstrɪŋ) /

to remove the strings of

(of beads, pearls, etc) to remove or take from a string

to weaken or enfeeble emotionally (a person or his nerves)