Unripens

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To reverse the process of ripening, causing something to become less mature or develop as if not fully ripe
2. Causing a fruit or similar item to lose its maturity or readiness; making a state revert to an earlier, less developed condition
3. Inducing a regression from a ripe or mature stage back to an unripe or less developed form; to put something back into an immature state

Etymology: "Unripens" is formed from "ripen" with the prefix "un-", which in English attaches to verbs to mean "reverse" or "undo" an action, so "unripen" means to reverse the process of ripening. The verb "ripen" itself goes back to Old English "ripian", from the adjective "ripe" (Old English "ripe"), which is linked to a Germanic root meaning "to reap" or "harvest". A fruit that was ready to be picked was ripe, and the verb came to mean becoming ready for harvest, then becoming fully developed in general. The prefix "un-" is the same Old English element found in words like "undo" and "unmake", and it has been productive on verbs for centuries. Its use with "ripen" is a modern formation rather than an old inherited word: "unripen" is not a standard entry in most major dictionaries, so it is best understood as a transparent coinage that English speakers can build on demand, as with "unfreeze" or "unthaw".

Synonyms: fails to ripen

Antonyms: ripens, matures