Unrobes

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Takes off a robe or similar outer clothing from oneself or someone else
2. To strip off a loose garment such as a robe or cloak, often after a formal event
3. Removes the outer layer of clothing that resembles a robe or gown

Etymology: "Unrobes" is the third-person singular present form of "unrobe", so it is the verb "unrobe" with an "-s" added for subjects like "he" or "she". The verb itself is simple: it is formed from the prefix "un-", meaning "reverse" or "remove", attached to "robe", the long loose garment that came into English from Old French and ultimately from a Germanic source related to plunder and spoils. Put together, "unrobe" means to take off a robe or gown, and by extension the outer layer of clothing it describes. The "un-" in "unrobe" is an old English device that turned many nouns into verbs of removal, so "unrobe" sits alongside "unhorse", "unmask" and "unpack" in this pattern. Because the base word is the garment, the verb keeps a ceremonial flavour, typically suggesting someone stepping out of formal or official dress rather than casually undressing.

Synonyms: disrobe