'unhinge' originates from the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' or 'opposite of' and the word 'hinge', which comes from Middle English 'heng' meaning 'to hang'.

'unhinge' changed from the Middle English word 'unheng' and eventually became the modern English word 'unhinge'.

Initially, it meant 'to remove from hinges', but over time it evolved to also mean 'to disturb or unsettle'.