† unhonourableadj.
Obsolete.
1. Not honourable; not deserving of honour.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrespect > [adjective] > not worthy of respect > not honourable
unhonourablea1400
a1400–50 Alexander 2950 Sen þis vse is here vn-honourable, here I þam leue.
c1485 ( G. Hay Bk. Law of Armys (2005) 264 He war a wikkit man of lyf, a tyran, and vnhonourable.
1548 E. Gest Treat. againste Masse sig. Hii Why then shuld..thee presence therof cause to honour his Godhed in the same, ther otherwyse unhonourable.
1599 E. Sandys Europæ Speculum (1632) 209 To trace out an unhonourable and fruitlesse life.
c1635 H. Glapthorne Lady Mother (1959) iii. 61 We are noe puisants or vnhonorable to be affronted with indignitys.
2. Dishonourable, discreditable.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > damage to reputation > [adjective]
undignec1315
unhonestc1450
reproachable1477
unhonourable1540
discredible1575
discreditable1577
defacing1583
reprobate1589
reproachful1591
scandalous1592
uncreditable1649
notorious1666
unworthy1693
discrediting1699
increditable1703
disreputable1773
compromising1883
1540 T. Wyatt Let. xxxii, in K. Muir Life & Lett. (1963) 162 If it were so the kinges plesure, I wold make hym suche companie as shold not be vnhonorable to the kyng.
1595 S. Daniel First Fowre Bks. Ciuile Warres ii. xxv. sig. H2 Th' vnhonourable meanes of safety bade Danger accept what Maiesty withstood.
1621 in W. Foster Eng. Factories India 1618–21 (1906) 274 Unhonnorable action by breatch of his word and cowle.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1924; most recently modified version published online June 2019).
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adj.a1400