self-willed, a.
Also 5 -willyd, Sc. -willit, 6 -wyld, 6–7 -wild, 7 wil'd; 5 selwillyd.
[f. self-will n. + -ed2. Cf. self-willy.]
Wilful or obstinate in the pursuit of one's own desires or opinions; characterized by self-will.
G. Campbell Philos. Rhet. (1776) I. 421 mentions the word as being ‘now little used’.
| c 1470 Ashby Active Policy 366 Kepe no selfe-willed oppunion, But to all reason bethe appliable. c 1475 Promp. Parv. 452/1 Selwillyd..Effrenatus. 1590 Spenser F.Q. i. vi. 17 The lad..pynd away in anguish and selfe-wild annoy. 1611 Bible, Tit. i. 7 A Bishop must be blameles..not selfe⁓willed, not soone angry. 1618 Breton Court & Country ad fin., I will pray for your better wit, then you haue showne in a selfe wild humour. 1736 Butler Anal. i. ii. 39 If, during the Opportunity of Youth, Persons are indocile and selfwill'd; they suffer greatly in their future Life. 1808 Scott in Lockhart I. i. 25 Habits of self-willed caprice and domination. 1848 Thackeray Van. Fair xliii, The little boy..is..forward and inclined to be saucy and self-willed. 1893 Liddon Pusey II. xx. 29 Keble's faith in God's presence and guidance made all high-handed, self-willed action on man's part appear..irreverent. |
Hence † selfˈwilledly. Obs. rare—0.
| 1530 Palsgr. 841/2 Selfwylledly, testyfuement. |