unˈlusty, a. Obs. exc. dial.
[un-1 7. Cf. MDu. onlustich (Du. onlustig), MLG. unlustich, MHG. unlustic (G. unlustig), ON. {uacu}lystugr, older Da. ulystig, MSw. olustogher (Sw. olustig).]
1. Indisposed to activity or exertion; slothful, lazy; dull, listless. Also const. to with inf.
| c 1230 Hali Meid. 43 And te oðre þat halden ham vnforgult & cleane, beon ase sikere unlustie & wlecche, liueð i godes luue wiðuten euch heate of þe hali gast. a 1240 Lofsong in O.E. Hom. I. 205 Touel spac and slow to godd, ȝemeleas and unlusti. 1340 Ayenb. 170 To þe sleauolle and to þe onlosti þet byeþ slacke to godes service. 1390 Gower Conf. I. 203 Thus his yonge unlusti lif He dryveth forth. c 1450 Mankind 538 in Macro Plays 20 Thys londe ys so harde, yt makyth wn-lusty & yrke. 1504 C'tess Richmond tr. De Imitatione iv. xii. (1893) 276 If thou haue nat that grace whan thou woldest but fele thy selfe drye and vnlusty. 1519 W. Horman Vulg. 48 My mynde..when it is cloudy wether..is vnlusty. 1560 Pilkington Exp. Aggeus B vi marg., Eate not so that it make ye unlustie to serue God. 1617 Hieron Wks. (1620) II. 273 Dauid..went on in a kinde of dull, and heauy, and vnlusty manner with them [sc. holy services]. |
b. dial. ‘Unwieldly; very fat.’
| 1881–2 in Cornwall glossaries. |
2. Lacking in bodily vigour; deficient in health and strength; weak, feeble.
| 1400–10 Clanvowe Cuckoo & Night. viii, Thogh I be old and vnlusty. 1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Husb. 127* The Cowe should..haue but short pasture, and the Bull his belly full: so shall neyther she be too fat, nor he vnlusty. a 1624 Bp. Smith Serm. (1632) 249 Infants..borne lame or vnlusty. |
b. Of land: Not in good heart.
| 1573–80 Tusser Husb. (1878) 50 If land be vnlustie, the crop is not great. |
3. Having an unattractive or ill-favoured look.
| c 1400 Destr. Troy 8035 All wan was the weghe.., With lamentacion & langour vnlusty to se. 1430–40 Lydg. Bochas i. i. (1554) 2 b, By..great labours, They were unlusty and ugly of their cheres. a 1529 Skelton P. Sparowe 915 His gummes rusty Are full vnlusty. |
4. Undesirable, objectionable, unpleasant.
| c 1412 Hoccleve De Reg. Princ. 3356 They often hadde gret cause hem to venge, But hir spiritis..pesible Thoghten þat craft vnlusty and alenge. c 1445 Pecock Donet 24 Forto þus do and procede..wolde be ouer longe and tediose and vnlusty to þe heerers. |