† unˈbuxom, a. Obs.
Forms: (see buxom a.).
[un-1 7. Cf. unbowsome a.]
1. Not submissive or compliant; intractable, disobedient. Freq. const. to.
| a 1250 Prov. ælfred 450 in O.E. Misc. 128 Betere is child vnbore, Þane vnbuhsum. a 1300 Cursor M. 28089 To crist ic haue vn-buxum bene. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 15378 Monk ne clerk wolde þey non spare, For þey byforn unbuxom ware. 1380 Lay Folks Catech. 713 (Lamb. MS.), Rebel men..ben vnbuxum to cryst and his chyrche. c 1440 Jacob's Well 112 Þis vyce makyth a mannys herte hard & vnbuxom to god. a 1470 H. Parker Dives & Pauper (1496) iv. viii. 171/1 Childern unbuxum to fader & moder sholde be stoned to deth. 1559 J. Aylmer Harborowe Q 4 God punished that sinne with another by sending them vnbuxome hartes. |
| absol. 1389 in Eng. Gilds (1870) 5 Ȝif eny be rebelle..þe forsaide bretherhede shul be helpyng aȝeins þe rebelle and vnboxhum. |
2. Unready to bend; stiff.
| c 1412 Hoccleve De Reg. Princ. 985 My bak unbuxum hath swich thyng forsworne, At instance of writing,..That stowpyng hath hym spilt with his labour. |
Hence
† unˈbuxomly adv. Obs.| 1390 Gower Conf. I. 88 Evere unbuxomly thei pleigne Upon fortune. Ibid. III. 212 The more unbuxomliche he cride. a 1400 MS. Harl. 2260 fol. 3, I usedde wronge with my body, And serves the unbuxumly. |