† unˈleeful, a. Obs.
[un-1 7.]
Not permissible or allowable; illicit.
| c 1374 Chaucer Boeth. v. pr. iii. (1868) 154 Þe whiche þinge to trowen on god I deme it felonie and vnleueful. c 1386 ― Pars. T. ¶593 The wounde shal nat departe from his hous whil he vseth swich vnleueful [v. rr. vnlefful, vnlieful] sweryng. 1449 [see next]. c 1491 Chast. Goddes Chyld. 25 Her rest was full short by cause it was..unlefull. 1529 More Dyaloge i. Wks. 157/2 The thinges nowe forbeden vs, and therfore to vs vnleful. 1547 Boorde Brev. Health xxvii. 16 b, Desyre to eate rawe and unlefull thynges, as women with chylde doth. 1567 Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 524 That pretendit and unlefull mariage. |
Hence † unˈleefulness. Obs.
| 1382 Wyclif Wisd. xiv. 8 The maumet..is cursid,..and he that made it, for he forsothe wroȝte vnleefulnesse. c 1449 Pecock Repr. ii. i. 136 Ech such doable thing..is in it silf neither leeful neither vnleeful, in eny of the ij. no seid maners of propre taking leefulnes and vnleefulnes. c 1475 Cath. Angl. 212/1 (A.), To do Vnlefulnesse, illicebrare. |