Etymology From Middle English unfolden, from Old English unfealdan (“to unfold”), equivalent to un- + fold.
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.[1633], George Herbert, edited by [Nicholas Ferrar], The Temple. Sacred Poems, and Private Ejaculations, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: […] Thomas Buck and Roger Daniel; and are to be sold by Francis Green, […], →OCLC:
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Meanwhile Nanny Broome was recovering from her initial panic and seemed anxious to make up for any kudos she might have lost, by exerting her personality to the utmost. She took the policeman's helmet and placed it on a chair, and unfolded his tunic to shake it and fold it up again for him.1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 19, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
2
To become unfolded.
The curtains unfolded to reveal the stage.
3
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.2012 November 8, Scott Tobias, “Memento’s puzzle structure hides big twists and bigger profundities”, in The AV Club:
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The protests in Brazil are unfolding just as its long and heralded economic boom may be coming to an end.2013 June 18, Simon Romero, “Protests Widen as Brazilians Chide Leaders”, in The New York Times, retrieved 21 Jun 2013:
4
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.c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene v]:
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Unfold the passion of my love.c. 1601–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Twelfe Night, or What You Will”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iv]:
5
Computing, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Sciences To reassemble a line of text that was split across multiple lines.
Etymology From Middle English unfolden, from Old English unfealdan (“to unfold”), equivalent to un- + fold.
1
Computing, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Programming, Sciences In functional programming, a kind of higher-order function that is the opposite of a fold.
unfold
verb
Etymology From un- + fold (“to confine into a fold or pen”).