▪ I. † unˈwield, n. Obs. rare.
In 4 unwelde, vnweilde.
[un-1 12.]
Feebleness, weakness, impotence.
| 13.. E.E. Psalter lxx. 9 (V.), Ne for-werpe me in un-welde, In time when I am of elde. c 1375 Cursor M. 3563 (Gött.), And haue man ben neure so bald, Quen þat he bicomis alde, Til vnweild [he] bigines to falle. |
▪ II. † unˈwield, a. Obs.
[un-1 7.]
1. Feeble, weak, impotent; = unwieldy a. 1.
Freq. from c 1400 to c 1450.
| c 1220 Bestiary 57 Siðen hise limes arn unwelde. c 1250 Gen. & Ex. 347 Vn-welde woren and in win Here owen limes. ? a 1366 Chaucer Rom. Rose 359 Al woxen was her body vnwelde, And drie,..for elde. c 1386 ― Reeve's Prol. 32 Oure olde lemes mowe wel been vnweelde. 14.. Sir Beues (L.) 34 He..Wexed febull and vn-welde. c 1480 Bk. of Brome (1886) 106 Hys body gane vax on-wylld. |
| absol. a 1300 Cursor M. 10539 Sal naman negh þat vnweild. |
2. Difficult or cumbrous to manipulate or handle; unwieldy. rare.
| 1390 Gower Conf. I. 312 The reyni Storm fell doun algates And al here takel made unwelde. a 1440 Sir Eglam. 309 A clobb of yron..That was mekylle and fulle unwelde. |
Hence † unˈwieldness. Obs.—1
| 1437–8 Rolls of Parlt. V. 439 In cas that anny of the seide Lordes..fall to suche unweldnesse or impotence. |