unring

English

Etymology

un- +‎ ring

Verb

unring (third-person singular simple present unrings, present participle unringing, simple past unrang, past participle unrung)

1. 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)

1. (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.

Anagrams

• urning