▪ I. unˈkingly, a.
[un-1 7. Cf. ON. {uacu}konungligr.]
1. Unbecoming to a king; not in accordance with the position or character of a king.
| 1600 Heywood 2nd Pt. Edw. IV, Wks. 1874 I. 100 Edward of England, these are vnkingly words. 1658 Osborne Q. Eliz. 12 An Art lost in these latter times, or thought unkingly. a 1661 B. Holyday Persius (1673) 310 When cruel lust..moves..fierce kings To act unworthy and unkingly things. 1702 Rowe Tamerl. i. i, With most un-kingly baseness, H' has ta'en the advantage of their absent arms. 1765 Burke Tracts on Popery Laws Wks. 1812 V. 250 [Louis XIV] had recourse..to an unkingly denial of the fact which made against him. 1853 Trench Proverbs 41 He was about, in somewhat unsoldierly and unkingly fashion, immediately to retire. 1880 Shorthouse J. Inglesant xii, To introduce Popery..by ways the most unkingly and perfidious. |
2. Unlike a king.
| 1718 Pope Iliad xiv. 90 What shameful words (unkingly as thou art) Fall from that trembling tongue and timorous heart? |
▪ II. unˈkingly, adv.
[un-1 11. Cf. ON. {uacu}konungliga, MHG. unküneclîche.]
In an unkingly manner; unlike a king.
| 1412–20 Lydg. Chron. Troy i. 3770 He vnkyngly of verray malys souȝt Ageynes vs firste occasioun. 1579 Stubbes Gaping Gulf C 5 Rychard [II]..fell amourous most unkindlye and vnkingly with a french girle but eyght yeeres of age. |