▪ I. unˈwieldly, a.
[In early use f. unwield n. + -ly1; later a variant of unwieldy a.
Many quots. for unwieldly in reprints from 1681 onwards have, on verification in first edd. or the MSS., proved to be misprints of unwieldy a., as in quots. 1681–1730. The prevalence of the misprint may be the chief source of the form.]
† 1. Impotent; weak; = unwieldy a. 1. Obs.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 23642 (Edinb.), Þir sal haf weldnes of wale, Þa sal unweldli be wit bale. |
2. = unwieldy a. 2–4. Also transf.
| a 1513 Fabyan Chron. vii. (1516) 153/2 He was vnweldly by reason of ouer ladynge of Flesshe, and myght not well trauayll. Ibid. 161 b/2 [They] made them a Mamet of a Fatte and vnwyldely as. |
| [1681 Sanderson's Serm. 95 As Saul's armour did [sit] upon Davids [back]; unweildly, and sagging about his shoulders. 1730 Bailey, Inhabile,..unmeet, unfit, unwieldly, not nimble.] |
| 1763 Churchill Ghost I. 261 Horrid, unweildly, without Form,..in the rear, That Post of Honour, should appear Pomposo. 1858 Faber Foot of Cross ii. 93 The interlacings and unfoldings of an unwieldly thunder-cloud. 1881 Athenæum 19 March 393/3 Unwieldly though the German language is in conversation and for every-day purposes. 1888 Murie in Kingsley Riverside Nat. Hist. IV. 404 Such a great, unwieldly, horned bird as the rhinoceros hornbill. |
▪ II. unˈwieldly, adv. rare.
[Cf. prec.]
In an unwieldy manner.
| 1793 Wordsw. Evening Walk 231 Thence issuing oft, unwieldly as ye stalk, Ye crush..your flow'ry walk. |