unˈselfish, a.
(un-1 7. Cf. Da. uselvisk, Sw. osjälfvisk.)
| 1698 J. Norris Pract. Disc. IV. 289 That Noble and Generous, disinteressed and unselvish Kind of Love. 1714 H. Grove Spectator No. 588 ¶2 Notwithstanding which, the Inclination is nevertheless unselfish. 1834 T. Keble in Tracts for Times No. 43. 14 St. Paul, that most heroic, and (if there were such a word,) that most unselfish of men. 1851 Longfellow Gold. Leg. Epil. 10 Rise up..And scatter with unselfish hands Thy freshness on the barren sands. 1880 M{supc}Carthy Own Times xl. III. 224 One of the most unselfish men that ever lived. |
Hence unˈselfishly adv., unˈselfishness.
| 1812 Coleridge Lit. Rem. (1836) I. 351 The unselfishness of self-love in the hopes and fears of religion. 1850 Lynch Theoph. Trinal v. 77 A most womanly unselfishness. 1862 Shirley (J. Skelton) Nugæ Crit. v. 218 A cause, whose success demanded perfect union and unselfishness. Ibid. x. 435 Steady, sagacious, moderate, never unselfishly imprudent. 1863 ‘Ouida’ Held in Bondage I. 185 None will ever love you more unselfishly than I. |