Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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UNFANKLE, v. To disentangle, unravel (Sh., Cai., m.Sc., Slk. 1973; Ags., Ayr. 2000s). Also fig. Also ppl.adj. See Fankle, v.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 113:
The auld fowk left now closer draw O' care their sauls unfankle.Ayr. 1897 W. G. Tarbet In Oor Kailyard 77:
They hadna unfankled in their hearts whit was guid and whit was bad.Dmf. 1912 J. L. Waugh Robbie Doo 141:
Hoo yin's lines o' life are unfankled and laid strecht oot afore yin.Slk. 1937 Times (9 July) 19:
The standard floats to and fro at its entire length, “unfankled” as folk here would say.Sc. 1949 N. B. Morrison Winnowing Years i. i.:
So keep your ears unsnecked and your tongues unfankled.Ags. 1988 Raymond Vettese The Richt Noise 29:
Here's swecht, is't, this place no juist the choice
o the auld, the duin, arthritic wi sentiment?
It's closer noo, tho I canna yet
unfankle onie words. wm.Sc. 1991 James Russell Grant in Tom Hubbard The New Makars 56:
The eagle unfankles itself fae the horizon timmin a michty
screich Dundee 1996 Matthew Fitt Pure Radge 9:
the keeper hurls
his bow-hochd banes
intil ae lang unfankilt airch m.Sc. 1996 John Murray Aspen 9:
Whit fuel will man's wecht o deid compunnd,
whit screichs fae flames unfankle,
whitlike reek lowsed abuin
like sae mony rashie limbs
raxin fer air unfyled
at Belsen or Buchenwald, w.Lth. 2000 Davie Kerr A Puckle Poems 43:
In quest o truth, each age wi proof,
unfankle mysteries,
that dwine awa th'archaic law,
o aa oor yisterd'ys.