unˈwittingly, adv.
[f. prec. + -ly2, or un-1 11.]
Not wittingly, knowingly, or intentionally; unconsciously, inadvertently; ignorantly.
In very frequent use c 1380–c 1630, and from c 1815. For the break in the history, cf. prec.
| 1375 Barbour Bruce xvi. 248 The gude king said..it wes in his awn foly, For he raid sa vnvittandly, So fer befor. 1388 Wyclif Joshua xx. 3 Whoeuer sleeth vnwytyngli a man. c 1400 Cursor M. 29392 (Cott. Galba), Of him þat dose a light trispase To prest or clerk vnwitandly. 1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 211/1 The prynce that bete y⊇..did it unwittyngly. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 163 b, Yf a persone..omyt..agaynst theyr wyll vnwytyngly ony worde or wordes of theyr duty. 1581 Hanmer Jesuites Banner H 4 b, Yet was it done of ignoraunce, and vnwittingly. 1626 Jackson Creed viii. xxi. §3 This acknowledgment was first made (though unwittingly) by the multitude. 1654 Bramhall Just Vind. ii. 27 Who..if he hold any errours unwittingly and unwillingly, doth implicitely [etc.]. |
| 1794 Coleridge Lett. (1895) 112, I unwittingly (for I did not know it at the time) borrowed a thought from you. 1808 Scott Marm. v. xviii, Unwittingly, King James had given, As guard.., The man most dreaded under Heaven By these defenceless maids. 1833 H. Martineau Tale of Tyne ii. 24 He unwittingly spoiled their little arrangements. 1883 Whitelaw Sophocles, Trachin. 727 When men have stumbled all unwittingly Anger has pity. |