unload
unload
UK[ˌʌnˈləʊd]US[ˌʌnˈloʊd]
v
to remove a load from something, especially goods from a vehicle or container.
v
to remove the ammunition from a gun or the film from a camera.
v
to get rid of something unwanted, such as responsibilities, possessions, or feelings, by giving or selling them to someone else.
Morpheme Breakdown
un
load
un
reverse action
load
to put a burden on
Etymology
the word 'unload' is a transparent english compound formed from the native germanic prefix 'un-' and the verb 'load'. the prefix 'un-', deriving from old english and ultimately from proto-germanic, is commonly used to denote reversal or deprivation. the core verb 'load' originates from the old english noun hlād, meaning "a load or heap," which evolved into a verb signifying the act of placing a burden or cargo. therefore, the literal morphemic construction "reverse the action of loading" directly and logically yields the modern meanings of removing cargo, ammunition, or metaphorical burdens. this straightforward compounding process exemplifies how english can create new, semantically clear verbs from its existing germanic lexical stock.
Analysis
Structure: un (reverse action) + load (to put a burden on)
un: a prefix of germanic origin (old english un-, on-) meaning "not" or "reverse of an action." in this word, it functions as a reversative prefix, indicating the undoing of the action of loading.
load: a verb of germanic origin (old english hlād "a load, heap") meaning to put a burden or cargo onto something. it functions as the base verb in this compound.
Examples
the workers began to unload the crates from the ship.
he made sure to unload the rifle before cleaning it.
she needed to unload some of her old furniture before moving into the smaller apartment.