unexˈpressive, a.
[un-1 7 and 5 b.]
† 1. = inexpressive a. 1. Obs.
| 1600 Shakes. A.Y.L. iii. ii. 10 Run, run Orlando, carue on euery Tree, The faire, the chaste, and vnexpressiue shee. 1629 Milton Hymn Nativ. xi, Harping in loud and solemn quire, With unexpressive notes to Heav'ns new-born Heir. 1637 ― Lycidas 176 So Lycidas..hears the unexpressive nuptiall Song, In the blest Kingdoms meek of joy and love. |
2. = inexpressive a. 2.
| 1755 World No. 150. V. 81 If the device had been a triple⁓crown, it would not have been unexpressive. 1816 Bentham Chrestom. 109 In so far as it simply fails of being subservient to those purposes, it is unexpressive—simply unexpressive. 1851 W. R. Greg Creed Christendom xv. 227 Exhausting superlatives, even to unexpressive and wearisome satiety. |
So unexˈpressively adv., -ness.
| [1846 Worcester, Unexpressively.] 1885 Athenæum 21 Mar. 369/2 She is distinguished from the other muses by the unexpressiveness of her name. |