Originally Posted By: wsieber
unloose - indeed intriguing. The OED does not give a satisfactory etymology. Apparently not related to "loose" ?!


'loose' apparently comes from Old Norse.

Isn't 'unloose' just 'loose' with the prefix 'un' added? Though in this case, as in 'flammable' and 'inflammable' the prefix is not a negating one but an intensifying one.

Another possibility I would have thought is Greek λύω (loo-Oh, IPA lʉʊ). Perhaps one comes from Gk the other from Norse?

Last edited by The Pook; 03/21/08 01:44 AM.