unburden

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to relieve yourself of worries, guilt, or secrets by telling someone about them

   Georgiana would unburden her heart to Jane whenever they were alone.

2. 2
   verb

   to remove a physical or figurative burden from someone or something

   At the inn, the travelers unburdened the packhorse before giving it water.

Formed in English from un-, 'remove or reverse,' + burden. The verb first referred to taking a physical load from a person, animal, or thing, then developed the figurative sense of relieving the mind or conscience by disclosing a worry, secret, or guilt.

Topics