uncouple

From Middle English uncouple; equivalent to un- +‎ couple.

• IPA^(key): /ʌnˈkʌpəl/

• Audio (Southern England)

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• Rhymes: -ʌpəl

uncouple (third-person singular simple present uncouples, present participle uncoupling, simple past and past participle uncoupled)

1. (transitive) To disconnect or detach one thing from another.

   We uncoupled the trailer and left it behind.

   • 1960 June, “Talking of Trains: The new Margam yard”, in Trains Illustrated, page 323:

     The shunter has a lightweight portable radio transmitter by which, as he uncouples an incoming train into cuts for marshalling, he informs the Traffic Office of the number of wagons in each cut and its siding; [...].

   • 2022 January 12, Benedict le Vay, “The heroes of Soham...”, in RAIL, number 948:

     The driver remained at his post, while telling fireman Jim Nightall to get down on the track and run back to uncouple the burning wagon from the rest.

2. (transitive) To come loose.
3. (transitive) To loose, as dogs, from their couples.

• uncoupled