inconvenient, a. and n.
(ɪnkənˈviːnɪənt)
[a. F. inconvénient (13th c. in Hatz-Darm.), ad. L. inconvenient-em, f. in- (in-3) + convenient-em agreement, according, convenient.]
A. adj.
† 1. Not agreeing or consonant; discordant, incongruous; inconsistent with reason or rule, absurd. Obs.
| 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. viii. xxviii. (Bodl. MS.), Þanne it is nouȝt in conueniente to sette þat twei bodies bene ifeere in one place ȝif one of ham is sotel and formal..of þat oþer material and vnperfite. 1552 Huloet, Inconuenient, abhorrynge, discordynge..absurdus. 1570 Levins Manip. 68/43 Inconvenient, incongruus. 1635 E. Pagitt Christianogr. iii. (1636) 40 In which booke many things..were found inconvenient, and contrary to the true faith. 1674 Owen Holy Spirit (1693) 57 Nothing is ascribed unto him that is unreasonable, inconvenient unto him in the Discharge of his Office. |
† 2. Not befitting the case or circumstances; unsuitable, unmeet, inappropriate, out of place. Obs.
| c 1460 Fortescue Abs. & Lim. Mon. ix. (1885) 128 That diuerse lordis off Englande haue also moch livelode off thair owne, as than shall remayne in the kynges handes ffor his extraordinarie charges; wich were inconvenient, and wold be to the kynge right dredefull. 1552 Huloet, Inconuenient tyme, intempestas. 1600 Shakes. A.Y.L. v. ii. 73 If it appeare not inconuenient to you. 1681 J. Chetham Angler's Vade-m. xli. (1689) 307 Because the Pike is so noble a Fish..it's not inconvenient if I..make a more particular Discourse of him. 1840 R. M. McCheyne in Mem. (1872) 449 It will make the Syren Songs of this world inconvenient. |
† b. Const. for, to. Obs.
| c 1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 85 An inconuenient medicyn to þat membre. 1651 J. Goodwin Redempt. Redeemed i. §5 Which signification is no ways inconvenient for this place. 1655 Moufet & Bennet Health's Improv. (1746) 177 No Meat so wholesome as Pheasant-pouts; but to strong Stomachs it is inconvenientest. 1692 Locke Educ. §159 The reading of the whole Scripture indifferently, is..very inconvenient for Children. |
† 3. Morally or ethically unsuitable; unbecoming in manner; unseemly, improper. Obs.
| 1494 Fabyan Chron. vi. cxcviii. 204 He walowed in lechery, giuynge hym to all vicious and inconuenyent lyfe of his body. 1542 Procl. Hen. VIII 22 July in Warton Hist. Eng. Poetry liv. (1840) III. 267 Boyes do singe masse, and preache in the pulpitt, with such other vnfittinge and inconuenient vsages. a 1694 Tillotson Serm. xxii. (1742) II. 77 It is very inconvenient to say, that they who were to teach the precepts of Christ to others, did themselves break them by inspiration. |
4. Not conducive to ease of action or condition; unfavourable to comfort; incommodious, troublesome, embarrassing, disadvantageous, awkward. (The current sense.)
| 1651 Hobbes Leviath. ii. xxvi. 147 The people of Rome grew so numerous, as it was inconvenient to assemble them. 1706 Phillips, Inconvenient, not convenient, troublesome, cumbersome. 1777 Sheridan Trip Scarb. ii. i, If it be not inconvenient to you, he'll come and wait upon you. 1852 Hawthorne Blithedale Rom. xvi, This species of nervous sympathy..was yet found rather inconvenient in its practical operations. 1870 Dickens E. Drood xviii, We have a good choice of inconvenient lodgings in the town. |
B. n. That which is inconvenient.
† 1. Something discordant, an incongruity, an inconsistency; something inconsistent with reason, an absurdity. Obs.
| c 1374 Chaucer Boeth. v. pr. iii. 123 (Camb. MS.) And yit ther folweth a noother inconuenyent of the whiche ther ne may ben thoght no moore felonos ne moore wykke, and þat is this, þat [etc.]. 1387–8 T. Usk Test. Love iii. iii. (Skeat) I. 77, I wene that none inconuenient shalt thou finde betwene Goddes forweting, and libertie of arbitrement; wherfore, I wote well thei maie stande togider. 1449 Pecock Repr. i. xv. 81 Noon inconvenient is thouȝ God ordeyned the seid resoun. |
† 2. Something morally unfitting; an unseemly or unbecoming act; an impropriety, an abuse.
| 1460 J. Capgrave Chron. (1858) 279 Aftir the batayle ful schamefully the Walsch women cutte of mennes membris, and put hem in her mouthis that were ded; and many othir inconvenientis ded thei that tyme. 1483 Caxton Cato 3 b, The Synnes and inconuenientes that comen of playeng. 1523 Fitzherb. Surv. 26 b, The whiche mesemeth is the grettest inconuenyent that nowe is suffred by the lawe. 1538 Bale Thre Lawes 61 Proudenesse ye abhorre with lyke inconuenyentes. |
† 3. A troublesome or untoward circumstance; a misfortune, a mishap; an inconvenience. Obs.
| c 1400 Apol. Loll. 79 Þis inconuenient mai not be voydid. 1432–50 tr. Higden (Rolls) VIII. 469 Somme inconvenientes wolde folowe with ynne schorte space, bothe to hym and to the realme. 1475 Bk. Noblesse (Roxb.) 33 Here is yet noone so gret inconvenient of aventure ne mysfortune falle at this tyme, but that it hathe be seene fallen er now. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (1531) 57 And so by these meanes thou shalte..eschewe many sclaunders and inconvenientes. 1610 J. Melvill Diary (Wodrow Soc.) 532 Eschewing any danger or inconvenient quhilk may be likelie to fall out. 1645 Boate Irel. Nat. Hist. (1652) 65 In her mouth, she is incumbred with severall inconvenients. |