Unshutting

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Opening up something that had been closed, such as a window, gate or lid, so that it stands open again
2. Reopening a door, shutter or cover that was previously fastened closed and letting it swing free
3. Undoing the closure of a shutter, lid or barrier so that the way through becomes open once more

Etymology: "Unshutting" is simply "unshut" with the ending "-ing" added, and "unshut" is itself a plain compound of the prefix "un-" and the verb "shut." The prefix "un-" reverses or undoes the action of the base word, so "unshut" means to open something that was shut, much as "unlock" undoes "lock." The base verb "shut" is ancient in English, descending from Old English "scyttan," meaning to bolt or close with a bar, which is why a shut door was once thought of as one secured in place. The reversing "un-" has been productive in English for centuries, letting speakers form pairs like "unbolt," "unfasten," and "unseal" whenever they wanted a verb for undoing a closure.