different between unring vs unthink

English

Etymology

un- +? ring

Verb

unring (third-person singular simple present unrings, present participle unringing, simple past and 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.'

2. (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.

Derived terms

• unring a bell
• you can't unring a bell

Anagrams

• urning

English

Etymology

un- +? think

Verb

unthink (third-person singular simple present unthinks, present participle unthinking, simple past and past participle unthought)

1. (transitive, intransitive) To undo the process of thinking.
   • 1930, G. K. Chesterton, The Resurrection of Rome

     They at least had the immense and mighty imagination of which I speak; they could unthink the past. They could uncreate the Fall. With a reverence which moderns might think impudence, they could uncreate the Creation.

   • 2006, Kirsten Shepherd-Barr, Science on Stage: From Doctor Faustus to Copenhagen

     In An Experiment with an Air-Pump, characters repeatedly assert that "once you've thought something, you can't unthink it, can you?"

See also

• unring