unˈworked, ppl. a.
[un-1 8. Cf. OHG. ungaworaht, ungewurchet (MHG. ungeworht, G. -wirkt), MLG. ungewercht; also unwrought and unwerked ppl. adjs.]
1. Not wrought into shape; not worked upon.
| 1730 Bailey (fol.), Unwrought (of un and weorcian, Sax.), unworked. 1862 J. Newton in Trans. Hist. Soc. Lancs. & Chesh. (N.S.) II. 103 Flint implements..obtained by a few adroit cleavages from the unworked boulders amidst which they lie. 1865 Lubbock Preh. Times viii. 265 One single unworked flint. |
2. Not worked in or operated upon. Chiefly fig.
| 1817 Lady Morgan France (1818) II. 190 Drawing from the unworked mine of fancy and imagination. 1858 Glenny Gard. Every-day Bk. 83/1 This applies to all kinds of un⁓worked subjects. 1874 Raymond Statist. Mines & Mining 365 Harris Gulch..contains much unworked ground. 1884 Longm. Mag. Mar. 486 The ingenuity of inventors..would not allow so fine a field for invention to remain long un⁓worked. |
b. = unwrought ppl. a. 3 b.
| 1883 Gresley Gloss. Coal-m. 268 Unwrought or Unworked, coal or other mineral which has not been mined or worked away. |