unattaintedadj.
1. Unstained, unspotted; free from blemish.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > purity > [adjective] > specifically of conduct, qualities, etc.
fairOE
unblendedc1340
unspotted1455
unviolated1555
uncorrupted1571
unattainted1597
uninfected1628
unvitiateda1637
unsullied1659
unabused1661
unadulterate1664
candid1667
unwarped1744
unspecked1781
unblenched1813
unsunned1843
unattaint1850
unsubverted1872
unsmutched1879
unshadowed1891
1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet i. ii. 87 With vnattainted eye, Compare her face with some that I shall shew. View more context for this quotation
1602 W. Watson Decacordon Ten Quodlibeticall Questions 274 [The catholics] liue in sorrow, heauiness, and suspition had of their vnattainted loyalties in generall, for some priuate offences in speciall.
1641 J. Milton Of Reformation 69 To..ingage the unattainted Honour of English Knighthood..for so unworthy a purpose.
1716 J. Swift To Earl of Oxford in Misc. Poems 8 Virtue repuls't, yet knows not to repine; But shall with unattainted Honour shine.
1845 H. B. Hirst Coming of Mammoth 44 That bears on high in knightly fight An unattainted crest.
2. Not attainted in law.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > judging > acquittal or clearing of accusation > [adjective] > not attainted or proscribed
untainted1597
unattainta1657
unproscribed1775
unattainted1794
1794 W. Hutchinson Hist. Cumberland I. 378 Whereupon it was adjudged that the title remained unattainted.
1821 Ld. Byron Two Foscari i. i, in Sardanapalus 201 Wouldst thou have His state descend to his children as it must, If he die unattainted?
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online June 2019).
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adj.1597