unring
English
Etymology
un- + ring
Verb
unring (third-person singular simple present unrings, present participle unringing, simple past unrang, past participle unrung)
- Hypothetically, to reverse the act of ringing, or the consequences of the action.
- In a criminal trial, if the prosecution brings in inadmissible evidence that would unfairly prejudice the accused, a mistrial may be warranted. Having the judge admonish the jury to disregard the evidence might not be enough, as the saying goes, 'You can't unring the bell.'
Derived terms
- unring a bell
- you can't unring a bell
Verb
unring (third-person singular simple present unrings, present participle unringing, simple past and past participle unringed)
- (transitive, poetic) To remove a ring from.
- 1979, John Jefferson Bray, "The Story of Iphis" in Poems 1972-1979
- Her lofty song commands in thrilling strains
That new-raised woman snap her rusty chains,
Unring her finger and unbind her breast.
- Her lofty song commands in thrilling strains
- 1979, John Jefferson Bray, "The Story of Iphis" in Poems 1972-1979
Anagrams
- urning