unˈfading, ppl. a.
(un-1 10.)
| 1652 Benlowes Theoph. xii. xlii, Such suppling balm As might vain trophies turn to an unfading Palm. 1738 Gray Propertius iii. 9 Let on this head unfading flowers reside. 1816 Southey Poet's Pilgr. i. 216 The vallies with perpetual fruitage blest, The mountains with unfading foliage drest. 1869 Ruskin Q. of Air i. §5 The real atmosphere, calm in its dominion of unfading blue. |
b. In figurative use.
| 1665 Boyle Occas. Refl. Sect. iv. iv. 73 We should..receive unfading Honours, and uncloying Delights. 1728 Ramsay Bonny Kate viii, His pleasure each moment shall blossom Unfading, gets her for his mate. 1765 Tucker Lt. Nat. (1834) II. 312 He might have excited sensations, ideas, and intelligence,..permanent, unfading, and unsatiating. 1820 Scott Monast. xxxii, By His holy Word, that unfading and unerring lamp of our paths. |
Hence
unˈfadingly adv.,
unˈfadingness.
| a 1672 Sterry Rise, Race & Royalty Kingd. God (1683) 211 All flourish together *unfadingly in the person of Christ. 1806 Moore Epist. v. 44 That..The rose and the stream..Should still be before me, unfadingly bright. |
| 1658 Phillips, Immarcescence, *unfadingness. 1797 Polwhele Hist. Devonsh. I. 160 That its use..was known to the Phenicians will appear probable, when we consider the unfadingness of their purple. 1860 Pusey Min. Proph. 91 Graces beyond nature, in their manifoldness, completeness, unfadingness. |