† unˈhend, a., n., and adv.
[un-1 7.]
1. Of persons: Discourteous, impolite; ungentle, rude, rough.
| c 1205 Lay. 28826 Ne durste nauere nan vn-hende Þas kinges hus isechen. a 1300 Cursor M. 9023 Bot mistru nan..þat i Thinc sai o womman wilani, If i sua did i war vn⁓hind [v.r. vnhend]. Ibid. 28426 Gains godd i haue bene vn-hende, Þat i wit-halden ha my tende. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 16022 But longe er hit was brought til ende, He was slayn wyþ folk vnhende. c 1380 Sir Ferumbras 1965 Þar-after schalt þow wende..And take þe kyng þat is ounhende. a 1450 Le Morte Arth. 1081 Off foo ne frend, the sothe to say, So vn-hend of thewis is ther none. |
| absol. c 1460 Towneley Myst. xx. 642 My comforth from care may ye sone wyn, If ye happely may hent that vnheynde. |
2. Of acts, words, etc.: Unfitting, improper.
| c 1205 Lay. 13265 Þe frume wes vnhende & al swa wes þe ænde. c 1225 Ancr. R. 204 Mid luue speche, cos, unhende gropunges, þet beoð heaued sunnen. a 1300 Cursor M. 27734 Vnheind talking, o dede vtrage,..Hurtes grett, and sclander and tene. ? c 1400 Emare 445 The old qwene spakke wordus unhende. c 1425 Cast. Persev. 2030 in Macro Pl. 138 Þis day ȝe dyth a good defens! Whyl Mankynde is in good entent, His þoutis arn vn-hende. |
b. n. Trouble, mischief.
| 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. xx. 185 ‘Sire euel-ytauȝte elde,’ quod I, ‘vnhende go with the!’ |
3. adv. Improperly; unfaithfully.
| 1338 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 259 Ȝe sette a certeyn þing, at ȝour boþe assent,..Þou brak þat certeynte wikkedly & vnhende. |