unfruitfullyadv.
/(ˌ)ʌnˈfruːtfᵿli/, /(ˌ)ʌnˈfruːtfl̩i/, U.S. /ˌənˈfrutfəli/ (un- prefix1 5; cf. unfruitful adj.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > uselessness, vanity, or futility > [adverb] > uselessly or unproductively
unfruitfullyc1450
fruitlessly1629
effectless1755
unproductively1793
infructuously1827
resultlessly1839
c1450 tr. Thomas à Kempis De Imitatione Christi i. x. 11 We speke muche of suche þinges as we loue or desire... But allas! ofte tymes veinly & unfruytfully.
1544 R. Tracy Supplycacion to Kynge Henry VIII sig. Cijv To lyue both wickedly towardes God, and also vnfrutefully towardes the worlde.
1583 B. Melbancke Philotimus (new ed.) sig. Mj v Senior Mondaldo which neuer mispent time vnfruitfully.
1655 Ld. Orrery Parthenissa IV. ii. vii. 702 Civilities, were not unfruitfully placed.
1833 S. Hoole Disc. xiii. 171 We shall..praise him—not tremblingly and unfruitfully,..but joyfully and profitably.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1924; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
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adv.c1450