unprovenadj.
/(ˌ)ʌnˈpruːvn/, U.S. /ˌənˈpruv(ə)n/ 1. Originally Scottish. Not demonstrated to be true or as stated. Cf. unproved adj. 2.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > insecure knowledge, uncertainty > questionable state or quality > state of being unprovable > [adjective] > unproved
unproved1478
untried1526
uncontrolled1529
unproven1563
unapproved1597
proofless1610
undemonstrated1648
unverified1816
untested1828
non-proven1847
1563 G. Hay Confut. Abbote of Crosraguels Masse f. 62 Thow leauest that vnprouen, whereupon thy vnsauerie Sacrifice dependeth.
1564 in D. H. Fleming Reg. Christian Congregation St. Andrews (1889) I. 192 The foyrsayd excepcione being admittit to probacion of James, and gret numer of wytnes be hym produced, resavit, sworne, admittit and examinat, the excepcion unprovyn.
1672 R. Barclay W. Michel Unmasqued 42 The question is, Whether this be a Baptism with water which remains yet unproven?
1718 Mr. Taylor's Case Stated 83 The false and unproven stories..printed in his Vindication.
1785 Curious & Diverting Serm. upon Lice 21 This doctrine may be unproven in an use of consolation.
1853 Westm. Rev. Apr. 475 We do not expect the preacher to prove anything before unproven.
1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) III. 149 Plato does not like to make an assertion which is unproven.
1954 N. Coward Diary 19 Mar. (2000) 260 How can we ever succeed in tidying up this life if half our minds are concentrated upon an unproven and most problematical afterlife?
1998 Teacher Mar. 28/1 Although unproven, there are suspicions of age discrimination.
2. Not tested or tried; (hence also) not reliable or trustworthy. Cf. unproved adj. 1.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > unreliability > [adjective]
unsicker?c1225
uncertaina1382
unsadc1384
untristya1387
untrustya1387
unsurec1412
falliblec1425
slipperc1430
ficklea1450
frivol1488
slidder?a1500
casuala1535
slippery1548
slippy1548
failable1561
doubtful1562
lubricious1584
slope1587
queasy1589
unconfirmedc1592
nice1598
catching1603
loose1603
precary1606
ambiguous1612
treacherous1612
unsafe1615
unsureda1616
precarious1626
lubric1631
dubious1635
lubricous1646
unestablished1646
unfixed1654
unsecure?a1685
unreliable1810
unproven1836
untrustworthy1846
shady1848
wobbly1877
Kaffir1899
independable1921
dodgy1961
temperamental1962
the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > trial, test, or testing > [adjective] > tried or tested > not
unfonded?c1225
unproved?1440
untried1526
unsayeda1598
untested1828
unproven1836
1836 H. Howarth Eight Disc. vi. 104 Who is it that offers us this unproven armour for the war of God and of salvation?
1859 Proc. & Deb. Gen. Assembly Free Church of Scotl. 150 The great religious awakening in America was not dependent..on the ‘labours in the pulpit’ of irresponsible and unproven men.
1951 N. Algren Chicago v. 68 Make the Tribune bestseller list and the Friends of American Writers..will be tugging at your elbow... But God help you if you're a loser and unproven to boot.
1976 J. Lukasiewicz Railway Game 188 Federal funds are used in support of some new and unproven technologies.
2002 Times 19 Oct. 53/8 I knew that venture capitalists invested in unproven companies.
Derivatives
unˈprovenness n.
ΚΠ
1889 Academy 23 Mar. 207/1 Good scientific doctrine..which never hesitates..to qualify even the most brilliant suggestions by a warning of their present unprovenness.
2010 C. Feltham Crit. Thinking in Counselling & Psychotherapy xx. 74 Some of these suggestions will be..summarily dismissed by various readers on the grounds of perceived irrelevance, credibility, unprovenness, prejudice and so on.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2014; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.1563