uitwikkelen

Uitwikkelen is a Dutch verb meaning to unwind or uncoil something that has been wound or wrapped, such as a rope, wire, cable, thread, or packaging. The action involves removing the wrapping and extending the material along its length.

It is commonly used in contexts where objects are stored on a reel or spool and need to be prepared for use. For example, a technician might uitwikkelen a cable from a reel to expose enough length for installation, or a knitter might uitwikkelen yarn from a skein to measure out a needed amount. The term emphasizes the transition from a wound state to a length that can be worked with.

Etymology and related terms: The word combines the prefix uit- with wikkelen, meaning to wind. In related contexts, other Dutch verbs describe making something ready by spreading or exposing material, such as uitrollen (to roll out) and uitvouwen (to unfold).

Examples:

- Ik moet de kabel even uitwikkelen voordat ik de stekker kan aansluiten. (I need to unwind the cable a bit before I can plug it in.)

- De draad werd langzaam uitwikkeld uit de spoel. (The thread was slowly unwound from the spool.)

See also: uitrollen, uitvouwen.