unˈbold, a. ? Obs.
Forms: α. 1 unbeald, 3 onbald, 1, 3–6 un-, vnbald (4 -baald, -balde), 6, 9 Sc. unbauld; 4–5 un-, vnbolde, 4, 6 onbolde, 6–7 vnbould. β. 4–5 un-, vnbelde.
[un-1 7. Cf. OHG. unbald.]
Lacking in boldness; deficient in self-confidence or energy; timid, bashful; backward, slow.
| α c 897 K. ælfred Gregory's Past. C. xl. 289 He for his monnðwærnesse aslawað, & wierð to unbeald. a 900 Cynewulf Juliana 427 Wende ic, þæt þu þy wærra weorþan sceolde..& þy unbealdra. c 1205 Lay. 16306 Þer fore maȝen Bruttes beon muchele þe vnbaldur [c 1275 onbaldere]. Ibid. 28159 Þa weoren Bruttisce men swiðe vnbalde uorþæn. a 1310 in Wright Lyric P. xxxvi. 100 When we shule suen thy wounde blede, to speke thenne we bueth unbolde. 13.. Minor Poems of Vernon MS. xxxvii. 172 As a lord schalt þou be cald, Þer oþure schul stonde behynde vnbald. c 1460 Lament. Virg. in Chester Pl. (Shaks. Soc.) II. 206/2 But whan he lyste they were on slepe, For to wakyn they were unbolde. c 1480 Henryson Thre Deid Pollis 8 (Bann. MS.), Off thy self, man, thow may be richt vnbald. 1530 Palsgr. 632, I make unbolde or shamfull. Ibid., Twenty honest women can nat make her onbolde agayne. 1611 Florio, Inaudace, vndaring, cowardly, fearefull, vnbould. 1825 Jamieson, Unbauld, humble, self-abased, Clydes[dale]. |
| β 13.. Sir Beues (A.) 47 Man, whan he falleþ in to elde, Feble a wexeþ and vnbelde Þourȝ riȝt resoun. 13.. Metr. Hom. (Vernon MS.) in Herrig Archiv. LVII. 277 Whon þis Monk com to feir elde To worchen ouht he was vnbelde. a 1470 Harding Chron. ccix. iii, The which the duke of Burgoyn wold haue weld, Because to hym they were so vnbelde, Theim to haue slayn. |