Unfold, v. t.
Etymology: [AS. unfealdan. See 1st Un-, and Fold, v. t.]
1. To open the folds of; to expand; to spread out; as, to unfold a tablecloth. Unfold thy forehead gathered into frowns. Herbert.
2. To open, as anything covered or close; to lay open to view or contemplation; to bring out in all the details, or by successive development; to display; to disclose; to reveal; to elucidate; to explain; as, to unfold one's designs; to unfold the principles of a science. Unfold the passion of my love. Shak.
3. To release from a fold or pen; as, to unfold sheep.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Unfold, v. i.
To open; to expand; to become disclosed or developed. The wind blows cold While the morning doth unfold. J. Fletcher.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for unfold; he lists it under amplify.
Where he writes about it:
We may develop a thought, expand an illustration, extend a discussion, expatiate on a hobby, dilate on something joyous or sad, enlarge a volume, unfold a scheme, widen the range of treatment. — from amplify