† unkindn.1
Obsolete.
1. The lack of a natural physical or physiological capacity (in quot. a1200 spec. the inability to become pregnant). Cf. kind n. 5.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > biological processes > procreation or reproduction > infertility > [noun]
unkinda1200
barrenhoodc1380
barrennessa1382
geldheada1400
sterility1535
sterileness1558
unfruitfulness1565
infecundity1605
deadness1611
infertility1869
subfertility1917
a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 133 (MED) Þe wimman was barrage [probably read barraigne] swo þat heo ne mihte for unkinde hauen no child.
2. Action, behaviour, or activity not in accordance with what is considered natural, normal, or morally acceptable. Cf. kind n. 6.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > wrong conduct > [noun] > unnatural conduct
unkindheadc1325
unkindnessc1390
unkinda1393
disnaturalness1430
unnaturalness1534
unnaturality1548
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) viii. l. 222 (MED) Amon his Soster ayein kinde..forlay; Bot..Absolon His oghne brother..Tok of that Senne vengement And slowh him with his oghne hond..thus thunkinde unkinde fond.
c1400 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (BL Add.) (1887) l. 9856 Vnkunde [c1325 Calig. Þe king after is sone deþ þe croune aȝen nom, & in contek muchedel huld þe kinedom; Vor vnkunhede of is sones, muche to harm him com].
a1500 in G. Henslow Med. Wks. 14th Cent. (1899) 79 (MED) This oynement..is good for..scaldyng of mannes ȝerde of vnkynde of hymself or womman oþer hetis.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2018; most recently modified version published online September 2021).
unkindadj.n.2
/(ˌ)ʌnˈkʌɪnd/, U.S. /ˌənˈkaɪnd/ A. adj.† 2. Not of one's own people, country, etc.; foreign, alien; unknown, strange; unfamiliar (to). Obsolete.† 3. † 4. † 5.
1. † a. Not in accordance with the natural or normal course of things; unusual, out of the ordinary. Obsolete (English regional (Yorkshire) in later use).In quot. lOE: unsuited to the inherent nature of something; with the thing as complement (in the dative). Cf. i-cunde adj. 1b.† e. English regional (Lincolnshire). Rough; crooked, twisted. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > disorder > irregularity > unconformity > abnormality > [adjective] > abnormal or unnatural > physically
unkindlOE
unkindlyc1230
unnaturala1400
lOE King Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (Bodl.) (2009) I. xxxiv. 326 Nim..swa wuda swa wyrt..of þære stowe þe his eard and æþelo bið on to weaxanne and sette on uncynde stowe him; þonne ne gegrewð hit þær nauht.
c1300 St. Michael (Laud) l. 560 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 315 Men seggez þat wynter-þondre..ne may neuere come bote þat weder onkuynde [a1325 Corpus Cambr. vnkunde, c1300 Harl. uncunde] beo.
a1400 (?c1280) Nativity Mary & Christ (Stowe) (1975) l. 404 (MED) Of þe muracle of þe bestes ȝe habbeþ iherd, of þe oxe and þe asse..Hou þei kneleden aȝen him þat hem made, þo he was ybore..þe more wunder it was of here vnkynde dede [?c1400 Lamb. dede aȝeyn kynde] þere.
Promptorium Parvulorum (Harl. 221) 365 On-kyynd, or nowȝt after cowrs of kynde, innaturalis.
a1525 ( Coventry Leet Bk. (1907) I. 181 Yif he be necligent & mysrule his Iron, that he wirkithe, be onkynd hetes or elles in oder maner.
1544 Bk. Chyldren in T. Phaer tr. J. Goeurot Regiment of Lyfe (new ed.) sig. h.iiijv A souerayne medicyne for burnynge and scaldynge, and all vnkynde heates.
1603 J. Davies Microcosmos 53 That by their service that fire might not vade, Which vnkinde coldnesse else might overlade.
1664 R. Turner Botanologia 35 The decoction of the leaves in Spring Water is good for all unkinde heats.
1891 E. C. Price Little One I. iii. 47 They [sc. hens] do lay in th' unkindest places.
b. Not favourable or beneficial; harmful, injurious; unhealthy, unwholesome; damaging to; unsuitable for. In later use esp. of soil, land, etc. (chiefly English regional): of poor quality; unsuitable for growing plants or crops.Perhaps now apprehended as a figurative use of sense A. 6a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > [adjective] > harmful or injurious
litherc893
scathefulc900
orneOE
teenfulOE
atterlichc1050
evilc1175
wicka1250
scathela1300
deringa1325
unkindc1330
harmfula1340
ill1340
wicked1340
shrewdc1380
noisomea1382
venomed1382
noyfulc1384
damageousc1386
infectivea1398
unwholesomea1400
annoying?c1400
mischievous1414
damnablec1420
contagiousc1430
mischievable?a1439
damagefulc1449
damageable1474
unhappy1474
nuisable1483
nocible1490
nuisible1490
nuisant1494
noxiousa1500
nocent?c1500
hurtful1526
sinistral1534
nocive1538
offendent1547
offensivea1548
dangerous1548
naughtya1555
dispendious1557
offensible1575
wrackful1578
baneful1579
hindersome1580
scandalizing1593
damnifiable1604
taking1608
toadish1611
illful1613
nocivousc1616
mischieving1621
nocuous1627
obnoxious1638
nocumentous1644
vicious1656
nocumental1657
abnoxious1680
dungeonable1691
offending1694
hurtsomea1699
nociferous1706
sinister1726
damnific1727
hazardous1748
slaughtering1811
damaging1856
damnous1870
lethal1942
the world > the earth > structure of the earth > constituent materials > earth or soil > soil qualities > [adjective] > infertile
unbearingc825
geasonOE
unkindc1330
barren1377
unfructuousa1382
poora1387
leanc1420
exile?1440
salt1535
unfruitful?1542
sterile1572
dead1577
unlusty1580
queasy1593
heartless1594
unfertile1596
emacerated1610
sapless1655
unprolific1672
uncivil1676
ungrateful1681
worn1681
teemless1687
unproductive1725
poorish1767
ill-conditioned1796
scanty1797
rammelly1808
starve-acre1891
c1330 (?c1300) Guy of Warwick (Auch.) l. 516 (MED) After þe hete me comeþ a chele Þat me greueþ wiþ vn-skele, Þat y wex cold as ise; So vn-kinde iuel it is, Þat al mine limes it wil to-te.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. vii. lix. 418 Hit [sc. a posteme þat hatte antrax]..is iknowe by lynes þat beþ þerinne... Som lynes rede and blody, and som ȝelouȝ and colerik..som clere and comeþ of salt flewme, and so of oþir vnkynde humours.
a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich Hist. Holy Grail xxxvi. l. 595 That beste wolde..Ony man qwelle that there-offen Ete, it is so vnkynde, And þerto so hot.
a1475 Dis. Hawk (Harl. 2340) in W. L. Braekman Of Hawks & Horses (1986) 36 (MED) Longe smale wormys wt rede hedes an ynch long..cum of onkynde mete and of onclene mete for fawte of castyng.
?1541 R. Copland Galen's Fourth Bk. Terapeutyke sig. Aivv, in Guy de Chauliac's Questyonary Cyrurgyens Whiche is..commune to the curatyons of vnkynde humoures.
1609 C. Butler Feminine Monarchie ii. sig. B8v The East-wind being cold..is verie vnkind for Bees.
1663 G. Williams Chariot of Truth i. xvi. 91 That Physick, which may fit the younger age, may be unkind for the same disease when old age hath seised upon us.
1706 J. Gardiner tr. R. Rapin Of Gardens iv. 148 The poor Soil is to your Trees unkind.
1762 J. Mills New Syst. Pract. Husbandry I. 19 The blue, white, and red clay, if strong, are all unkind.
1767 A. Young Farmer's Lett. 16 The constitutions..of several countries in Europe, which are unkind to the cultivation of the earth.
1829 Evans & Ruffy's Farmers' Jrnl. 15 June 193/2 These ploughs are used very generally throughout Suffolk and Norfolk, on..stiff, unkind clay.
1867 Rep. Select Comm. Malt Tax 73/1 in Parl. Papers (H.C. 470) XI. 1 Barley at 54 lbs. a bushel is not worth so much as barley at 52 lbs., if the former is unkind for malting purposes.
1879 G. F. Jackson Shropshire Word-bk. Gall,..a stiff, wet, ‘unkind’ place in plough-land.
1889 E. Peacock Gloss. Words Manley & Corringham, Lincs. (ed. 2) (at cited word) That wood-cloāse o' yours is straange unkind land.
1958 Times of India 30 Jan. 9/4 Volcanoes..have left the soil full of ash and unkind to plant life.
2015 D. C. Tripp Season of Open Water 245 The gnarled roots that hold fast and grow in such a harsh and unkind soil.
c. Of the weather, climate, or temperature: not mild or pleasant; inclement, disagreeable, harsh; unfavourable. Of a period of time: characterized by bad or unfavourable weather.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > bad weather > [adjective]
starkOE
unkindc1330
foulc1390
distemperate1398
distempered1490
untemperate1525
intemperate1526
naughty1541
intempered1556
unkindly1579
sour1582
unclement1598
filthy1600
nasty1634
dirty1660
inclement1667
inclemental1709
wretched1711
foul-weather1750
ungenial1816
wersh1830
shabby1853
c1330 Simonie (Auch.) (1991) l. 375 Þurw wederes þat he haþ isent, cold and vnkinde.
?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) (1996) i. l. 15765 Alle folk with tempest vnkynde was slayn.
a1450 (?a1300) Richard Coer de Lyon (Caius) (1810) l. 3023 Kyng Richard so seke lay..For the travayl off the see, And strong eyr off that cuntree, And unkynde [c1450 BL Add. vnkyndly] colde and hete.
c1485 ( G. Hay Bk. Gouernaunce of Princis (1993) xviii. 85 Ane vnkynde ȝere of distress of cornis and vittailis.
a1500 in R. H. Robbins Hist. Poems 14th & 15th Cent. (1959) 240 Mych of owre welth hase wastud awey, with grete darthe..And vnkynde wedurs.
1580 J. Lyly Euphues & his Eng. (new ed.) f. 126 So vnkinde a yeare it hath bene in England, that [etc.].
1648 J. Cooke Unum Necessarium 25 The least immoderate raine, or unkind and unfruitfull yeare causes a Dearth.
1677 S. Herne Domus Carthusiana 244 I have been exposed to..the fury of unkind Weather.
1733 J. Tull Horse-hoing Husbandry xii. 66 Favourable Years will Cure the Smut, as unkind Ones will Cause it.
1775 S. Johnson Journey W. Islands 321 The climate is unkind, and the ground penurious.
1813 C. Marshall Introd. Knowl. & Pract. Gardening (ed. 5) xviii. 294 A fourth bed..would be a greater advantage as to size, especially if the weather is unkind.
1893 Z. A. Ragozin tr. A. Leroy-Beaulieu Empire of Tsars & Russians I. i. i. 11 With her unkind climes, her meagre forests and woodless steppes,..Russia may seem but a poor shelter for the gorgeous plant of European culture.
1902 Gardeners' Chron. 30 Aug. 154/1 Apples and Pears suffered badly with the late frost. It has been a very unkind season.
1963 N.Y. Times 7 Apr. (Internat. Trav. section) 45/3 German wines are never cheap—the climate is unkind and the quantities grown are limited.
2017 Loughborough Echo (Nexis) 8 Feb. 22 We had a brilliant afternoon despite the unkind weather.
d. Of a plant or animal: in poor condition; not thriving, unhealthy; (also) not tending to thrive, weak, sickly. Now rare (in later use chiefly English regional (chiefly west midlands)).
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > animal disease or disorder > [adjective] > of animals;ill
mesela1400
unkind1761
weedy1799
1761 P. Cardale Distinctive Char. Righteous Man 5 The good seed, as it grows up, may look sickly and unkind, and bring forth but little fruit to perfection.
1793 A. Young Gen. View Agric. Sussex 58 The watery wooled sheep..were found to be much more unkind in their disposition for fattening.
1814 G. Hanger To all Sportsmen 13 Whenever a horse looks unkind in his coat.
1841 Era 17 Oct. 9/2 Some averred that Welfare was not up to the mark, and that she looked unkind in her coat.
1882 E. L. Chamberlain Gloss. W. Worcs. Words 33 The banes (beans) dunna graow one bit, thaay sims so unkind.
1974 W. Leeds Herefordshire Speech 103 Unkind, not doing well (animals and crops).
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > unevenness > [adjective] > rough
unsmeetheOE
sharpc893
rowOE
reofOE
roughOE
unplaina1393
harsha1400
scrofc1400
stourc1400
ruggyc1405
asperous1547
harshy1582
shagged1589
horrid1590
unsmooth1598
gross1606
asperate1623
brute1627
scabbed1630
sleazy1644
rasping1656
scaber1657
asper1681
shaggy1693
gruff1697
grating1766
hackly1794
ruvid1837
scrubby1856
unkind1866
raspy1882
ruckly1923
sandpapery1957
1866 J. E. Brogden Provinc. Words Lincs. 216 Unkind, rough or crooked. These poles are very unkind.
1877 E. Peacock Gloss. Words Manley & Corringham, Lincs. Unkind, crooked, twisted; lit. unnatural. ‘Them ashes graws strange an' unkind.’
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > district in relation to human occupation > a land or country > [adjective] > foreign (of country or place) or situated abroad > of or relating to a foreign land
un-i-cundeeOE
althedisheOE
althedyOE
elelendisha1000
fremda1000
outlandishOE
strange1297
outenc1300
unkindc1300
outlandsc1330
foreign?1435
outland1488
peregrine1532
uncouth1533
forinsecal1539
exterior1540
extern1543
unnative1568
uplandish1586
external1587
tramontane1596
exotical1601
estranged1614
undenizened1635
extra-marine1639
outlanding1643
ultramarine1656
transmontane1727
forinsec service1728
foreigneering1806
trans-oceanic1827
vilayati1843
alienized1860
oversea1881
overwater1889
overseas1892
furrin1895
non-native1932
c1300 St. Wulstan (Laud) l. 90 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 73 Vnkuynde Eyres ȝeot huy beothþ ore kingues echone... For willam liet [him] crouni king..And bi-sette al enguelond with men of oþere londe.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2302 Iosep..hem..tagte wel, And hu he sulden hem best leden, Quane he comen in vnkinde ðeden.
a1425 (?c1300) Northern Passion (Cambr. Gg.5.31) l. 1554 A vnkynd man sone gan þai mete.
?a1450 tr. Macer Herbal (Stockh.) (1949) 134 (MED) Þe after-burden of women is clepid in latin ‘secunda’..But for þis name is vnkynde to many folkys..I..wole expoune and declare what it be-tokenyþ.
a1500 Eng. Glosses MS BL Add. 37075 (1984) 94 Exoticus, vn kynd.
a. Lacking in proper gratitude or willingness to acknowledge a benefit, favour, etc.; ungrateful, unappreciative (to or †unto). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > gratitude > ingratitude > [adjective]
unkindc1300
slowful1484
unthankful1499
unthankfulc1500
ingrate1528
thankless1536
ungrate1548
ingrateful1553
ungrateful1553
grateless1577
unacknowledging1611
unthanking1902
c1300 St. Patrick's Purgatory (Laud) l. 156 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 204 Ȝwane þov hast boþe bodi and soule iȝyuen us bi þine liue, Saunt faille we ne beoth nouȝt so onkuynde þat we it nellez ȝelde þe bliue.
c1330 (?c1300) Amis & Amiloun (Auch.) (1937) l. 2138 (MED) Vnkender blod nas neuer born..For he saued mi liif biforn, Ichaue him ȝolden wiþ wo & sorn.
a1400 (c1300) Northern Homily: Serm. on Gospels (Coll. Phys.) in Middle Eng. Dict. at Turnen An unkind man es he That turnes alle his thoht fra the.
a1464 J. Capgrave Abbreuiacion of Cron. (Cambr. Gg.4.12) (1983) 112 He, aftir his promocion, was ful onkind onto þe Cherch.
a1500 ( J. Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. (Rawl.) (1898) 205 He is an onkynde man that denyeth hym to haue recevid a good dede.
a1500 (?a1390) J. Mirk Festial (Gough) (1905) 26 Þat scho was vnkynde to hym þat suffred so moche for hur.
1509 A. Barclay Brant's Shyp of Folys (Pynson) f. lxxxxiiv These vnkynde caytyfs wyll scantly hym honour.
1576 W. Lambarde Perambulation of Kent 276 Whiche..inestimable benefites,..if any man..acknowledge not, he is to to vnkinde.
1649 J. Taylor Wandering 6 The Redeemer of unkinde mankinde.
1716 Trial Ford Lord Grey of Werk 20 My wretched unkind Daughter, I have been so kind a mother to her.
b. Devoid of natural goodness or virtue; unchivalrous, dishonourable; vile, wicked, villainous. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > [adjective]
woughc888
litherc893
frakeda900
sinnyc950
unrighteouseOE
baleOE
manOE
unfeleOE
ungoodc1000
unwrasta1122
illc1175
nithec1175
wickc1175
hinderfulc1200
quedec1275
wickedc1275
wondlichc1275
unkindc1325
badc1330
divers1340
wrakefula1350
felonousc1374
flagitiousc1384
lewdc1386
noughta1387
ungoodly1390
unquertc1390
diverse1393
felona1400
imperfectc1400
unfairc1400
unfinec1400
unblesseda1425
meschant?c1450
naughtyc1460
feculent1471
sinister1474
noughty?1490
ill-deedya1500
pernicious?1533
scelerous1534
naught1536
goodlyc1560
nefarious1567
iron1574
felly1583
paganish1587
improbate1596
malefactious1607
villain1607
infand1608
scelestious1609
illful1613
scelestic1628
inimicitious1641
infandous1645
iniquous1655
improbous1657
malefactory1667
perta1704
iniquitous1726
unracy1782
unredeemed1799
demoralized1800
fetid1805
scarlet1820
gammy1832
nefast1849
disvaluable1942
badass1955
bad-assed1962
the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > harshness > [adjective]
unmildeOE
unmeekc1175
unkindc1325
dure1412
roughc1415
foula1500
harsh1579
untender1608
unsoftened1645
kindless1659
unkind-hearted1760
uncannya1774
unkindly1787
unbeneficent1822
bad-blooded1842
half-hearted1864
brash1868
society > morality > moral evil > [adjective] > destitute of virtue
unkindc1325
virtueless1402
unvirtuous1432
c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) l. 2379 Þere he kudde wat he was vnkunde ssrewe & quoynte.
c1330 (?c1300) Guy of Warwick (Auch.) l. 4382 Þou me hast bitreyd..Þou fel treytour, vnkinde blod.
c1400 (c1378) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. v. l. 276 Thow art an vnkynde creature, I can þe nouȝte assoille, Til þow make restitucioun.
a1439 J. Lydgate Fall of Princes (Bodl. 263) viii. l. 3143 Lat men bewar euere of vnkynde blood.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xxiv. 315 Then noy vs no more of this noyse! You carles vnkynde, who bad you call me?
?1529 S. Fish Supplicacyon for Beggers sig. A3 Let vs then compare the nombre of this vnkind idell sort vnto the nombre of the laye people.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. ii. sig. Dd4v For they, how euer shamefull and vnkinde, Yet did possesse their horrible intent.
1602 2nd Pt. Returne fr. Parnassus iv. ii. 1705 Thou slimie sprighted vnkinde Saracen.
a1633 Visct. Falkland Hist. Edward II (1680) 104 Taxing the French as base, unkinde, perfidious, that knew not what belong'd to love, or valour.
c. Not having or demonstrating qualities considered proper or appropriate; degenerate, debased. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > dissolute conduct > [adjective]
unkind1340
desolatec1386
unthrifty1388
virtueless1402
unvirtuous1432
dissolutec1475
castaway?1542
bastardlyc1567
regenerate1596
perdite1625
profligate1627
deperdit1641
profligated1652
abandoned1690
society > morality > moral evil > moral or spiritual degeneration > [adjective]
unkind1340
degeneratea1513
bastardlyc1567
regenerate1596
embased1602
sunk1602
depressed1647
abastardized1653
demoralized1800
debased1863
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 188 Þe zone ssel by ylich þe uader oþer he is onkende be zaynte peter.
c1390 in C. Brown Relig. Lyrics 14th Cent. (1924) 129 (MED) Now is non so vnkuynde a beeste Þat lasse doþ þat weore him duwe.
a1425 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (Pierpont Morgan) xii. xxvi Þe lenger he lyueþ þe more he scheweþ þat his owen kynde is unkynde.
c1450 (?c1408) J. Lydgate Reson & Sensuallyte (1901) l. 1338 (MED) He shal fynde How the worlde ys wax vnkynde, And in falshede doth him delyte.
1483 Catholicon Anglicum (BL Add. 89074) (1881) 203 To be vn Kynde, or to go oute kynde, degenerare.
c1500 (?a1475) Assembly of Gods (1896) l. 1023 Sensualyte..sewe the felde with hys vnkynde seede, That causyd Vertu aftyr mykyll woo to feele.
d. Lacking in charity, liberality, or magnanimity; ungenerous, mean. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > evil nature or character > lack of magnanimity or noble-mindedness > [adjective]
unkinda1393
uncharitablec1485
incharitable1496
strait-laced1546
ingenerous1635
lean-souled1639
ungenerous1641
mean1665
straitened1712
strait1760
strait-hearted1760
little1766
unmagnanimous1788
narrowing1827
shoddy1918
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) vii. l. 2103 He wolde noght ben holde Unkinde..He yaf him good ynouh to spende For evere.
a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne (Harl.) l. 6788 For ful comunly shalt þou fynde Ofte ryche men vnkynde.
c1400 (c1378) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. xi. l. 206 Euery man helpe other..And be we nouȝte vnkynde of owre catel ne of owre kunnynge neyther.
a1450 Castle Perseverance (1969) l. 3479 (MED) He wolde neuere þe hungry Neyþyr clothe nor fede..For he hathe ben vnkynde To lame and to blynde, In helle he schal be pynde.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry V f. lx The hynderance and euil successe of their vnkynd citezens & vncharitable country men.
1586 in W. A. Craigie Maitland Quarto MS (1920) 192 Fals mischeant Mortoun febill and vnkynd Thy wretchit hairt could neuer schame eschew.
1609 T. Ravenscroft Pammelia (To Rdr.) sig. A2 It may seeme somewhat niggardly and vnkind, in neuer (as yet) publikely communicating, but alwayes priuately retaining.
a. Lacking natural affection for or loyalty towards one's country, unpatriotic; disloyal to one's sovereign or leader; rebellious, treasonable. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social attitudes > patriotism > [adjective] > unpatriotic
unkindc1300
unpatriotic1758
fatherlandless1870
society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > undutifulness > treachery > [adjective] > treasonable
unkindc1300
treasonfula1400
treasonable1487
treasonous1593
patricidal1804
c1300 St. Thomas Becket (Laud) l. 1504 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 149 Þe king..sende heom word þat him þouȝte wunder..Þat heo wolden him so muche do on-kuynde dedes [a1450 Bodl. 779 unkundehede] and wouȝ for-to susteiny is wiþerwyne a-mong heom and is fo.
a1425 (?c1384) J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) III. 349 (MED) Scarioth was þe worse for beyng in þis holi cumpanye; for ellis he hadde not þus traied Crist, and be mooste unkynde traitour.
1463–5 Rolls of Parl.: Edward IV (Electronic ed.) Parl. Apr. 1463 §31. m. 11 Humfrey, as an unkynde and innaturall man, and fals to his liege mageste, traiterously adhered unto the seid Henry late called kyng..purposyng..the distruccion of his moost noble persone.
1539 C. Tunstall Serm. Palme Sondaye sig. Eiv This moste errant and vnkynde traytour is his mynister to so diuelyshe a purpose to distroy the countreye, that he was borne in.
b. Lacking natural or proper affection or respect for one's parents; uncharacteristic of or unbefitting a son or daughter; unfilial, undutiful. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > wrongdoing > undutifulness > [adjective] > to parents
unkindc1325
unchildly1612
impious1613
unfiliala1616
society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > undutifulness > [adjective] > undutiful to parents
unkindc1325
unchildly1612
unfiliala1616
c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) l. 852 Many kundemen of þis lond Mid king leir hulde also, Vor þe vnkunde [a1400 Trin. Cambr. on kunde, c1425 Harl. vnkynde] suikedom þat is doȝtren adde ido.
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 4961 Florippe þy doȝtre, þat ys ounkynde, To a stake þan let hure bynde.
a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne (Harl.) l. 1072 Ȝyf þou euer..On fadyr or modyr leydest þyn hand,..swyche a chylde ys kalled vnkynde.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 28270 Vn-kynd i was..Gayn fader & moder.
?a1450 (?c1400) Lay Folks' Catech. (Lamb.) (1901) 45 Vnkende men..helpe not here eldrys as þey schuld do.
1548 T. Cranmer Catechismus sig. f.vii Be no disobedient nor unkynde, but honor your fathers and mothers.
1595 S. Daniel First Fowre Bks. Ciuile Warres i. lxxxix. sig. E4 O whither dost thou tend my vnkind sonne?
1629 J. Mabbe tr. C. de Fonseca Deuout Contempl. 275 Maledictions are thundred out against vnlouing and vnkind childeren.
1682 E. James Case between Father & Children (single sheet) It is seldom known that an unkind Child to a Temporal Father, was ever counted an Obedient Servant to God.
1774 D. Williams Serm. II. x. 38 He has the misfortune to observe a child unkind to tender parents, disappointing their expectations.
1867 13th Ann. Rep. Directors Convict Prisons Ireland, 1866 64 in Parl. Papers XXXVI. 273 Many an erring and unkind son has returned to solace and support his parents in their declining years.
c. Lacking love or reverence for God or Christ; indifferent to or disdainful of God or Christianity; faithless, impious; sinful. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > aspects of faith > piety > impiety > [adjective]
unrighteouseOE
hinderfulc1200
undevouta1300
unreligiousa1382
unkindc1390
unpiteous?c1400
indevout?1504
ungodly1526
godless1528
profane1568
ungodded1579
impious1585
unhalloweda1616
godforsaken?1623
devoteless1650
atheistic1677
undivine1686
Heaven-abandoned1720
indevotea1742
unctionless1842
indevotional1865
link1889
c1390 (?c1350) Joseph of Arimathie (1871) l. 242 He tolde hem..of heore fadres bi-fore þat he fond vn-kuynde.
a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne (Harl.) l. 11544 God..made þy soule..fayre and clene..And whan þou synnest, þou..makest þy soule black as pyk..Sorowe oghte þan þyn herte bynde Þat þou art to hym so vnkynde—Þou dysonourest hym yn þat outrage.
a1425 J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1869) I. 145 God shal reprove þis world of synne of untreuþe..And þis is þe first synne and moost unkynde þat þei myȝten do to God..For in synnynge in þis feiþ, unkynde men untrowen to his Fadir and to Crist and also to þe Holy Goost.
a1450 tr. Bk. Tribulation (Bodl.) (1983) 72 (MED) He [sc. God] pleyneth him by his prophete Ysaye of the harde hertes, mystaught & vnkynde, that noo strook makith turne ayen.
a1500 J. Mirk's Festial (Harl. 2247) (1981) 53 Vnkynde creaturys, all be it þei here prechyng of þe worde of Goddys, passion and his byttire deþe, Ȝit neuer þe more þei will not forsake þer synne.
1543 T. Becon New Yeares Gyfte sig. J.i.v He is twyse vnkynde to God & his sonne Christ, that can not broke these thynges.
1625 J. Robinson Observ. Divine & Morall v. 24 Without..loving affection all the kindnesses, which we show to any, are but so many false witnesses to the unbeleeving, and unkind heart.
1722 J. Smith Magistrate & Christian 36 How undutiful would this be to Christ? and how unkind?
1877 Messenger (Philadelphia) 19 Dec. 1/5 We learn..our respective duties of charity and good-will towards each other; which if we do not maintain, we thereby are first undutiful and unkind to God our common Father.
d. Negligent or derelict in one's duty to people under one's care or control. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. xvii. l. 273 (MED) Meny preestes..as lambes..loken, and lyuen as wolues..Alas! lewede men, muche leese ȝe þat fynden Vnkynde creatures to beo kepers of ȝoure soules.
c1475 Guy of Warwick (Caius) l. 8011 (MED) Whi arte thow so lene a man? An onkynd man hast thow seruyd aye.
1592 G. Babington Certaine Comfortable Notes Genesis (xxx.) f. 120 So that be he [sc. a servant] good, or be he bad, the worldly and unkinde maister will giue little or no rewarde.
1696 Z. Taylor Devil Turn'd Casuist 8 The Priest (like an unkind Master to a Trusty Servant) would needs turn him out of Doors.
a. Of an action: not in accordance with what is considered natural, normal, or morally acceptable; abnormally bad or wicked. Also: sexually deviant or abnormal, perverted; cf. unnatural adj. 2c. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > evil action > [adjective] > unnatural
unkindly?c1225
unkinda1325
society > morality > moral evil > [adjective] > immoral or unethical > not conformed to moral order > and unnatural
unkindly?c1225
unkinda1325
unnatural?1473
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 449 Bigamie is unkinde ðing, On engleis tale twie-wifing. For ai was rigt and kire bi-forn, On man, on wif, til he [sc. Lamech] was boren.
c1400 (c1378) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. xiii. l. 356 Þorw coueityse and vkynde [read vnkynde] desyrynge.
a1425 Symbols of Passion (Royal) l. 77 in R. Morris Legends Holy Rood (1871) 180 To þe piler, lord..þey boundun þe..Þat bond me alese of bondes, Of unkind dede.
c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 87 (MED) Blud, mansleyng, þeft..chaunging of berþe, vnstedfastnes of wedding, vnkynd lechery, and vnchastite.
a1500 R. Henryson tr. Æsop Fables: Trial of Fox l. 817 in Poems (1981) 35 Fy, couetice, vnkynd and venemous!
1592 R. Greene Philomela sig. C2v If such vnlawfull lust, such vnkinde desires,..procure so great losse.
1608 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) ii. iv. 35 Cowardly Treason,..Vn-kinde Rebellion.
1656 A. Cowley Davideis iii. 89 in Poems Their too much wealth, vast, and unkind does grow.
1708 J. Ozell tr. N. Boileau-Despréaux Lutrin ii. 27 Are all th' Indearments of a Wedded Life,..Too weak to conquer one unkind Desire?
1889 Universal Rev. Jan. 93 How does Tacitus think best to make us feel the unkind murder of the boy Britannicus?
b. Of a person: lacking normal human feelings or sympathies; acting in an unnaturally cruel, severe, or hostile manner. Obsolete.In later use difficult to distinguish from sense A. 6.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > [adjective] > inherently
unkindc1400
naughtya1555
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > ill-treatment > cruelty > [adjective] > unnaturally
unkindc1400
unnatural?1473
c1400 Brut (Rawl. B. 171) 245 Sir Andrew of Herkela, þat is callede þe vnkynde out-putter.
c1450 (c1350) Alexander & Dindimus (Bodl.) (1929) l. 540 Unkinde kiþe ȝe ȝou to kille ȝour children.
a1500 (?a1450) Gesta Romanorum (Harl. 7333) (1879) 306 (MED) My fadir is so vnkynde þat he woll not pay my raunsom for me.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid i. i. 44 Full deip ingravin in hir breist vnkynd [was] The jugement of Paris.
1635 R. Johnson Hist. Tom a Lincolne (1828) 117 Making thyselfe unkinde and monstrous in murthering of thy mother.
1659 H. Hammond Paraphr. & Annot. Psalms (cxxxvii. 7 Paraphr.) 667 When our unkind neighbours the Edumæans were so forward to joyne their hands with our enemies.
1705 Wicked Husband, & Unnatural Father 5 These wicked Speeches from an unkind Father put the Girl into a sad Trembling.
1779 ‘Peeping Tim’ Honest London Spy 174 None's worse than an unkind and treacherous Wife.
6.
a. Lacking in kindness; having or showing a mean-spirited, malicious, or unfriendly nature or disposition; lacking in consideration for others; unsympathetic, harsh.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > unkindness > [adjective]
unmildeOE
unmeekc1175
unkind1340
ungentle1509
untender1608
kindless1659
unkind-hearted1760
unkindly1787
unbeneficent1822
half-hearted1864
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 77 (MED) Þanne is god ontrewe and onkende [c1450 Bk. Vices & Virtues not trwe ne kynde to vs] þet þise guodes benymþ his urendes and hise yefþ more largeliche to his yuo yef þet byeþ zoþe guodes.
a1425 (c1333–52) L. Minot Poems (1914) 26 (MED) Vnkind he was and vncurtayse; I prais no thing his puruiance.
1509 J. Fisher Mornynge Remembraunce Countesse of Rychemonde (de Worde) sig. Bv Were not she an vnkinde & vngentyl moder.
?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. vii His neyghbours be vnkynde if they wyll nat lende this yonge husbande part of this sede.
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iii. i. 103 To the noble mind Rich gifts wax poore when giuers prooue vnkind . View more context for this quotation
1685 J. Dryden tr. Lucretius Conc. Nature of Love in Sylvæ 87 Perhaps the fickle fair One proves unkind.
1738 J. Wesley Coll. Psalms & Hymns (new ed.) v. iii The Hearts unkind, and Hearts untrue, Are both abhor'd by Thee.
1793 J. O'Keeffe World in Village iv. iii. 53 'Twas taken from me by the way, by a most unkind young man.
a1822 P. B. Shelley Homer's Hymn to Mercury lii, in Posthumous Poems (1824) 312 What mean you to do With me, you unkind God?
1871 Arthur's Lady's Home Mag. Feb. 85/1 I would tell my father pitiful stories of unkind teachers.
1931 Gramophone Dec. 264/2 ‘Transcriptions’, too, for which our unkind readers used to prefer the phrase ‘faked records’, are not very popular over here.
2013 C. Tsiolkas Barracuda (2014) 221 Luke..was not unkind, not like some of the others, who were bullies.
b. Behaving in a mean-spirited, malicious, or hostile manner (to a particular person, group, etc.); inconsiderate or unhelpful to.
ΚΠ
c1390 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Vernon) (1867) A. i. l. 166 Beo no men hardore þen þei..Vn-kuynde to heore kun and to alle cristene.
c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. xx. l. 216 Beo vnkynde to þyn emcrystene and..The holygost huyreþ [þe] nat.
a1550 in F. M. Padelford Early 16th Cent. Lyrics (1907) lxv. 71 The turtle doue is not vnkinde to him that loues her so.
1676 J. Dryden Aureng-Zebe i. 13 That Man..Has been to you unkind, to me unjust.
1714 E. Freke Remembrances (2001) 43 I staid neer eight months and miscaryed, my husbands mother being very unkind to meee.
1773 S. Johnson Let. 24 Feb. (1992) II. 8 My northern friends have never been unkind to me.
1829 J. Baillie Let. 13 Feb. (1999) I. v. 441 I could not do otherwise in the matter than I have done, without being very unkind to excellent friends.
1876 H. James Roderick Hudson xi. 398 I was unkind yesterday, without meaning it.
1924 Amarillo (Texas) Globe 4 Sept. 9/2 You might find yourself married to a man..who would be even unkinder to you than your stepmother.
1977 Times of India 2 Sept. 7/3 The Press had been very unkind to him.
2003 C. Goodman Seduction of Water (2004) 115 Although I know he doesn't mean to be unkind, the remark hurts me.
7. Of an action, remark, etc.: arising from or indicative of an unfriendly, malicious, or inconsiderate disposition; expressing ungenerous, uncaring, or unsympathetic thoughts or feelings.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > unkindness > [adjective] > of action
unkindc1380
ungentle1603
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 2006 (MED) Þan him spak kyng Sortybran wordes wel ounkende, ‘þow ert a-sotid, as y am man, þy doȝtre wil þe schende.’
a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne (Harl.) l. 766 But ȝe leue ȝoure fals sweryng, Ȝoure vnkynde vpbreydyng, Ȝe shul go a deueyl weye.
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 24v What myschefe befell Þere no cause was to ken but vnkynd wordes.
c1595 Countess of Pembroke Psalme lv. 33 in Coll. Wks. (1998) II. 56 Then I would haue borne with patient cheere An unkind part from whom I know vnkind.
1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene vi. xi. sig. Ii3 In charge of one..Who with vnkind disdaine..Her did much molest. View more context for this quotation
1615 W. Keeling Jrnl. (1971) 58 That extreamlie unkind l[ette]re..never obliviable.
1657 T. Pierce Divine Philanthropie iii. 122 This was the first unkind word that ever past 'twixt him, and me.
1710 R. Steele Tatler No. 246. ⁋1 The Word Imperfection would not carry an unkinder Idea than the Word Humanity.
1796 F. Burney Camilla III. vi. xv. 432 If she persisted in such unkind and unnatural conduct.
1811 J. Austen Sense & Sensibility III. ii. 41 It would be quite unkind to keep her on to the engagement.
1860 J. Ruskin Mod. Painters V. 345 I never saw him look an unkind or blameful look.
1891 F. W. Farrar Darkness & Dawn I. xxx. 286 A mistress who never addressed to them an unkind word.
1921 Liberty 16 63/1 They are being made the butt of unkind jokes.
1962 Joplin (Missouri) News Herald 30 Jan. 4 a/2 A dignified bearing in the face of unkind behaviour is the most effective reproach.
2017 Straits Times (Singapore) (Nexis) 5 Apr. Members of the public stare at them or make unkind remarks.
8. Presenting or characterized by adversity, obstacles, problems, etc.; disadvantageous, unfavourable; unfortunate.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > adversity > [adjective] > attended by or causing affliction
eileOE
soreOE
unselec1050
evilc1175
derfa1225
stourc1275
feeble1297
illa1325
fella1400
unhappya1400
unwealful1412
importunea1425
noisomea1450
shrewd1482
importunable?c1485
importunate1490
funestal1538
nippingc1550
troublesome1552
pinching1563
grievesome1568
afflicting1573
afflictive1576
pressing1591
lacerating1609
funest1636
funestous1641
gravaminous1659
unkind1682
plightful1721
damning1798
acanthocladous1858
damnatory1858
fraught1966
1682 W. Hewer Let. 13 May in S. Pepys Diary & Corr. (1879) VI. 144 A very unfortunate and unkinde disaster.
1763 J. Boucher Let. 10 Sept. in Maryland Hist. Mag. 7 (1912) 158 I always think so w'n an unkind accident happens to spread a Melancholy gloom over my spirits.
1807 W. Wordsworth Poems II. 98 Thou would'st teach him how to find..A hope for times that are unkind.
1885 R. Bridges Eros & Psyche ii. xxiv. 23 Ascending many a mile Over the long brown slopes and crags unkind.
1925 Times 13 Jan. 6/3 It is an unkind draw from the point of view of the southern clubs.
1973 Guardian 11 June 2/2 President Nixon..has one more tough and unkind week lying ahead of him.
2007 F. Jones Juvenal & Satiric Genre iv. 93 Delivering four..predominantly angry speeches relating to his unkind situation.
B. n.2
With the and plural agreement: people who are unkind (in various senses of the adjective) considered as a class.In quot. 1796 in singular: an unkind person.
ΚΠ
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Wisd. xvi. 29 The hope of the vnkinde[1611 King James vnfaithfull; L. ingrati] as cold ijs shal flowen.
a1450 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Lamb.) (1887) l. 2459 Þe vnkynde þou wilt vp reyse; Þe kynde þou puttest to myseysey.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Luke vi. f. lxxxiijv He is kynde vnto the vnkynde.
1566 T. Becon New Postil ii. f. 114v The vnkynde shall not escape vnpunyshed.
1638 H. I. tr. R. F. R. Bellarmino Jacob's Ladder iv. 93 The patience of thy Creator, who is so kind to the unkind and evill.
1734 H. Grove Short & Easy Rule Conduct for Ministers 48 Be kind to the Unkind, have Charity for the Uncharitable.
1796 J. West Gossip's Story II. 169 She tried to recal the dear unkind by tears, and soft complaints.
1824 B. Hofland Patience viii. 149 Nor can the unkind, or the vicious, be melted by reproof.
1885 R. L. Stevenson Child's Garden of Verses xxvii. 32 The unkind and the unruly, And the sort who eat unduly.
1922 H. S. Canby Definitions 177 The barbarism of the dead hand, called by the unkind and the undiscriminating, academic barbarism.
1975 Guardian 17 Feb. 4/2 Unmentionable save by the sarcastic and the unkind, the menopause is a real problem.
2007 Financial Times 8 Sept. (Life & Arts section) 3/2 The unkind might say his batting hasn't improved much since.
Phrases
the unkindest cut (of all) and variants: the most damaging or hurtful thing that can be done or said; the cruellest blow.Chiefly after Shakespeare's use (see quot. a1616).
ΚΠ
a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) iii. ii. 181 This was the most vnkindest cut of all. View more context for this quotation
1810 Emerald 24 Nov. 42 Sometimes I am a church-steeple, this is the ‘unkindest cut of all’, for my naturally timid disposition makes me..averse to hazardous heights.
1811 C. Lamb in Reflector 1 ii. 383 The women began to shun me—this was the unkindest blow of all.
1885 Virginia Univ. Mag. May 474 Their works have been passed over as not worthy of the time and trouble of analysis, which..is the most cruel and mordant of all unkindest cuts.
1921 Times 17 Oct. 15/3 Then came, perhaps, the unkindest cut of all, from Bradford's point of view—a try scored by Blakiston from a flagrantly forward pass.
1985 Illustr. London News Sept. 78/3 What is often the unkindest bruit of all is the ubiquitous use of wallpaper music or muzak in the foyer.
2003 Jrnl. Southern Afr. Stud. 29 579 The unkindest cut of all was that she herself was accused of helping to bring about much of the suffering of the Zulu people.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2018; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.1a1200
adj.n.2lOE