Unlocking formes
Loosening a forme by driving back the quoins. When a compositor unlocks a forme, he should be careful not to leave the unlocked quoins too slack, as the force necessary to loosen the others may “squabble” the matter, or occasion it to “hang.”
Unlocking formes
The act of unfastening the type and loosening it from the chase and furniture by drawing out the quoins. Care should be taken to loosen the different quoins gradually, and not to make any of them slack suddenly, as the force necessary to unfasten others may squabble the matter or cause it to hang.