unfurl

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to unroll, unfold, or spread out something that was tightly rolled or folded, or to become spread out in this way

   At sunrise the crew unfurled the ship's largest sail.

2. 2
   verb

   to develop, reveal, or become apparent gradually

   The complex story unfurls across three generations.

Formed in English from un- ('reverse an action') + furl ('roll up or gather'). It first referred especially to releasing a sail, flag, or banner from its rolled state; the figurative sense treats events, plans, or stories as material gradually opening into view.

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