I. “+ verb
Etymology: un- (II) + load
transitive verb
1.
a.
(1) : to take off : deliver , discharge , remove
call for your car at the port where it is to be unloaded — Richard Joseph
(2) : to take the cargo from
the whole crew may drop their tools to help unload an arriving … sloop — Stuart Chase
b. : to give outlet to : pour forth
head buried in his mother's lap, he unloaded his small problems
2.
a. : to relieve of something burdensome : take a load from
unloaded the pack animals and began making camp
b. : to relieve from something oppressive or difficult
unloaded his heart in passionate utterance
3. : to draw the charge from
unloaded the gun
4. : to sell especially in large quantities : get rid of : dump
investors who keep their eyes on fundamental business trends made no move to unload their holdings — Newsweek
might be able to unload more of its grain … abroad — Wall Street Journal
5.
a. : to discard (worthless or dangerous cards) from one's hand
b. : to meld or discard (high cards) in playing rummy to reduce the count of one's hand
intransitive verb
1. : to perform the act of unloading
there were certain types of shipping which could unload in a matter of hours — E.C.R.Lasher
2. : to sell large quantities of stock especially in expectation of a market decline or for an inordinate price
3. : to meld or discard cards that would be costly if they remained in one's hand at the end of play
II. noun
: a commodity, consignment, or cargo after it has been unloaded — compare shipment