unwhelm

English

Etymology

un- +‎ whelm

Verb

unwhelm (third-person singular simple present unwhelms, present participle unwhelming, simple past and past participle unwhelmed)

1. (rare) To raise (someone) up from under something that has overwhelmed them.
   • 1908, Cale Young Rice, Yolanda of Cyprus, New York: McClure, Act II, pp. 64-65,^[1]

     And it is all through him

     Who as a guest came pledged into this house.

     Came with the chivalry and manly show

     Of reverence and grace, that he too well

     Has learnt in cunning lands and used to lure.

     Ah, and he seeks us now! unwhelmed of it!

     Ready of step, impassive, cold!

   • 1957, Muriel Spark, The Comforters, New York: Avalon, 1965, Part One, Chapter 3, p. 59,^[2]

     ‘Well,’ said Caroline, unwhelming herself of a sudden access of confidence in the Baron’s disinterestedness