unˈprecedented, ppl. a.
(un-1 8.)
In frequent use from c 1760.
| α 1623 in Rushw. Hist. Coll. (1659) I. 101 To forbid the Judges against their Oathes..is a thing unpresidented in this Kingdom. 1650 Weldon Crt. Jas. I, 37 Which was a strange Judgement, and unpresidented. 1707 Hearne Collect. II. 24 Y⊇ Delegates..declar'd the Dr's sentence pronounc'd against him by himself, as Assessor, to be unjust and unpresidented. |
| β 1716 Addison Freeholder No. 16 ¶5 Nor did the Legislature do any thing in this that was unprecedented. 1743 Bulkeley & Cummins Voy. S. Seas p. xiv, An audacious and unprecedented Action. 1837 H. Martineau Soc. Amer. II. 147 Some startling circumstance..which I was assured was unprecedented. 1874 Green Short Hist. viii. §3. 487 A speech of unprecedented boldness. |
Hence
unˈprecedentedly adv.,
-ness.
| 1678 Marvell Growth Popery 46 There was but one Reason given herein for declining the granting Money, and that is the Unpresidentedness. 1826 T. Tooke Currency 56 The late disastrous, and unprecedentedly numerous failures. 1884 Manch. Exam. 27 Nov. 5/4 The number of students attending was no doubt unprecedentedly great. |