unmailedadj.
/(ˌ)ʌnˈmeɪld/, U.S. /ˌənˈmeɪld/ historical.
Not covered or protected by mail (mail n.3 2a).
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > armour > [adjective] > clad in or protected by armour > not
armourlessa1398
unharnesseda1513
unpanoplied1787
unmailed1799
mailless1817
unarmoured1873
1799 J. Grahame Wallace i. ii. 7 I'd rush into the thickest of the fight, And fondly hope the self-same sword, Warm with your blood, might pierce my unmailed breast.
1806 Ann. Rev. 4 562 The brother of Biorn with his mail; Herbert unmailed.
1815 W. Wordsworth White Doe of Rylstone iii. 52 With breast unmailed, unweaponed hand.
1872 H. B. Stowe Lives & Deeds of Our Self-made Men II. viii. 314 The hardy courage of unmailed breasts.
1935 T. R. Glover Anc. World v. 113 The battle of the Standard..shows that charges by unmailed clansmen could never vanquish men in armour, spearmen and archers.
1994 D. Ort My Mother always called Me by My Brother's Name 82 Silent, I am a sentry unmailed, nakedly awaiting surprises.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2014; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1799