undo
VerbWordNet 3.0
Verb (5)
- cancel, annul, or reverse an action or its effect“I wish I could undo my actions”
- deprive of certain characteristicsSynonyms: unmake
- cause the ruin or downfall of“A single mistake undid the President and he had to resign”
- cause to become loose“undo the shoelace”“untie the knot”“loosen the necktie”Synonyms: untieloosen
- remove the outer cover or wrapping of“Let's unwrap the gifts!”“undo the parcel”Synonyms: unwrap
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Undo \Un*do"\, v. t. [AS. und?n. See 1st Un-, and Do to perform.]
1.To reverse, as what has been done; to annul; to bring to naught. [1913 Webster]
What's done can not be undone.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
To-morrow, ere the setting sun, She 'd all undo that she had done.— Swift.[1913 Webster]
2.To loose; to open; to take to piece; to unfasten; to untie; hence, to unravel; to solve; as, to undo a knot; to undo a puzzling question; to undo a riddle. --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]
Pray you, undo this button.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
She took the spindle, and undoing the thread gradually, measured it.— Sir W. Scott.[1913 Webster]
3.To bring to poverty; to impoverish; to ruin, as in reputation, morals, hopes, or the like; as, many are undone by unavoidable losses, but more undo themselves by vices and dissipation, or by indolence. [1913 Webster]
That quaffing and drinking will undo you,— Shak.[1913 Webster]