What does unman mean?
Unman is a rare English verb with two established senses. Its most literal meaning is to take the crew out of a ship or other craft, leaving it without people to operate or guide it. This nautical sense was especially useful before automated vessels became common, although the ordinary modern expression is usually “unmanned.” An older figurative use means to deprive someone of courage, resolve, or traditionally masculine qualities. This sense may appear in historical literature and can carry a dated or deliberately archaic tone. Unman is formed from the English prefix un- and the word man. Modern speakers sometimes encounter it primarily through related forms such as unmanned, but the verb itself is uncommon. It remains notable as a concise expression for both removing a vessel’s crew and, metaphorically, weakening or humiliating a person.
verbTo make a vessel or other craft unmanned, especially by removing its crew. In older figurative use, it means to deprive someone of manly character or courage.
- To remove the crew from a vessel or other craft, thereby making it unmanned.
- To deprive someone of manly character, courage, or resolve.
"The harbour authorities ordered the crew to unman the vessel before the inspection."
"The harbour authorities ordered the crew to unman the vessel before the inspection."
"The novel's villain tries to unman his rival by undermining his reputation and making him appear weak."
In an age of crewless ships, “unman” sounds futuristic, but it is an old nautical verb with an equally archaic figurative side.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unman come from?
Unman was formed in English by combining the prefix un- with man. Its nautical sense refers to removing the men from a craft, while its figurative sense developed from the idea of depriving someone of manhood or manly character. Man is an Old English word inherited from Proto-Germanic, and related English forms include manly, manhood, and manful.
Related word forms
How unman is actually used
The verb is now rare and literary or historical. Its nautical sense is often expressed by “leave unmanned” or “decrew,” while the figurative sense concerning courage or masculinity is archaic and can sound deliberately dated.
Easily confused with unman
Unman is a verb meaning to make a craft unmanned, while unmanned is its past participle and a common adjective describing a craft or vehicle that operates without a crew.