| 释义 |
unmeetadj.adv. Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a word inherited from Germanic. Partly a variant or alteration of another lexical item. Partly formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: unimete adj.; un- prefix1, meet adj. Etymology: Originally (i) cognate with or formed similarly to Old High German unmāzi huge, immeasurable (Middle High German unmāze , unmǣze ) < the Germanic base of un- prefix1 + the Germanic base of Old English mǣte mean, moderate, poor, inferior, small, bad (see meet adj.); in later use partly (ii) < unimete adj., with elision of the unstressed medial vowel (see discussion at y- prefix), and partly (iii) < un- prefix1 + meet adj. Compare unmeetly adj., unmeetly adv.The form vnmayte in quot. c1440 at sense A. 5b(a) may show confusion with or influence from vnnayt unnait adj., if it does not represent an error for that word arising from minim confusion. A. adj.†1. the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > largeness > [adjective] > huge eOE tr. Bede (Tanner) v. xiv. 438 Þa teah he forð boc..unmættre micelnisse. OE (Julius) (2002) 116 Þa wearð he gefyrht mid ege þæs unmætan wildeores. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 16566 For to ber it [sc. a tree] vte o þe kirk þai fand it ful vn-mete. c1450 (?a1400) (Ashm.) l. 143 (MED) Þen metis he furthe to Messadon full vn-mete gatis. c1450 (a1400) (Calig. A.ii) (1969) l. 1629 Anoþer helm hym was brouȝt And a schaft vn-mete. the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > excessive amount or degree > [adjective] > excessive or too great in amount or degree eOE tr. Bede (Tanner) v. xiii. 422 Ond ealle þa ðe æt his lichoman woepende sæton mid unmæte ege geslægene weron & utflugon. OE Wærferð tr. Gregory (Corpus Cambr.) (1900) ii. xxxi. 162 Sum Gota wæs, þam wæs nama Zalla, se..abarn & aweoll mid þy bryne þære unmætestan wælhreownesse ongæn þa æfæstan weras þære æallæcan cyrican. a1225 (c1200) (1888) 19 Ðar is chiueringe of toðen for ðe unmate chele. a1225 ( Ælfric's Homily De Duodecim Abusivis (Lamb. 487) in R. Morris (1868) 1st Ser. 103 Heo [sc. ȝifernesse] maceð þan men muchele untrumnesse and to deþe bringeð mid unmete drunche [OE Corpus Cambr. 178 mid ormætum drencum]. a1350 in G. L. Brook (1968) 29 Þis wilde wille went awai wiþ mone ant mournyng muchel vnmete. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) 23035 Þat drednes sal be sua vn-mete, Þat it mai all sli plightes be[te]. a1475 (?a1350) (Harl.) (1927) l. 1582h (MED) The love of pollexene him takes That grete sorow for her he makes..His sorow is moche and vnmete. †2. the world > relative properties > relationship > equality or equivalence > inequality > [adjective] a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) iv. l. 3573 Thou wost nothing of my desese, Hou thou and I be now unmete. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 9362 Als rose and thron ar tua vnmete; And tuix þam fair a-cord es nan. c1400 (?c1380) l. 759 (MED) My makelez Lambe..Me ches to hys make, alþaȝ vnmete Sumtyme semed þat assemble. 1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil ii. xi. 76 Litle Iulus..With wnmeit paiss his fader fast followand. c1540 (?a1400) (2002) f. 23 But vnmete was the Macche at þe mene tyme The Grekes were grym [etc.]. 1548 f. lxxviv Their numbre was but small..and far vnmete to compare with halfe the power of his puissaunt armie. 1563 T. Sackville in W. Baldwin et al. (new ed.) Induct. xxviii We passed on with steppes and pace vnmete. 1642 D. L. Thomason Tracts CLIII No. 22. 8 The Clergies curse, Rex minat mors , Ere Bishops be put downe: The gaine is great, though farre unmeet, A Myter for a Crowne. a1793 in F. J. Child (1890) IV. 165/1 Four he killd and five did wound, That was an unmeet marrow! the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > [adjective] a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) vii. l. 5030 (MED) Sche..thoghte hirself unmete And the lest worth of wommen alle. 1557 Earl of Surrey et al. sig. Cc.iiii He bowed at her feete, In humble wise as who would say I am to farre vnmete. the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being better or superior > [adjective] a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) ii. l. 122 This Galathee..Above alle othre was unmete Of beaute. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) v. l. 2140 The thridde maister scholde mete, Which, as thei seiden, was unmete Above hem alle, and couthe most. the world > space > distance > distance or farness > [adjective] > not close a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) iii. l. 1100 Fro merci thei ben al unmeete, And thus ben thei the worste of alle Of hem whiche unto wraththe falle. 1598 Floure & Leafe in T. Speght f. 365v/2 As I lay in my bed sleepe ful vnmete Was vnto me. a1425 (?c1375) N. Homily Legendary (Harl.) in C. Horstmann (1881) 2nd Ser. 122 (MED) His face was foule with eghen un-mete. a1450 (a1400) (BL Add.) (1932) l. 28 Vn-mete [a1400 Laud He hadde a malady vn-meke a-myd þe face: Þe lyppe lyþ on a lumpe lyuered on þe cheke; So a canker vnclene hit cloched to gedres]. 5. a. Not having or showing the necessary qualities or skills for something; incompetent; unworthy. Now archaic and somewhat rare. Not always clearly distinguishable from earlier sense A. 2b.a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer (Hunterian) (1891) l. 752 She was nought rude ne vnmete But couthe ynow of sich doyng As longeth vnto karolyng. 1535 Job xxxvii. 19 Teach vs what we shal saye vnto him, for we are vnmete because of darcknes. 1557 c. 3 §1 The same Disability..notwithstanding, the same unable and unmeet Persons..have also been released. 1598 R. Grenewey tr. Tacitus xiii. vi. 187 Neither did that [practice] long continue, because the lot fell oft vpon the vnmeetest. c1641 R. Baillie (1841) I. 390 The king did nominate one day, in face of parliament, [the Earl of Mortoun], whill Argyle topes this nomination, as of man unmeet. 1670 T. Gale iv. i. 370 The Booksellers got these books transcribed..by unmeet Librarians. 1706 M. Prior xxxv That Muse desires..the lowest Place; Who tho' unmeet, yet touch'd the trembling String. 1825 W. Scott Betrothed xii, in I. 223 He were rather an unmeet counsellor in that which we now treat of. 1842 I. Williams I. i. 55 Then like the Leper stand and pray aloof,—Like the Centurion deem thyself unmeet. 1902 R. Kipling 21 Sons of the sheltered city—unmade, unhandled, unmeet—Ye pushed them raw to the battle. a1500 (c1370) G. Chaucer (BL Add.) (1886) l. 72 I be vnkonnyng and vnmeete To serve. a1513 R. Fabyan (1516) I. cxl. f. lxxiiiv They chase a man of lowe byrth, & vnmete to that Rome. 1533 T. More liv Fryth is an vnmete mayster to teche vs what we shold praye. 1535 Titus i. 16 For so moch as they are..dishobedient, and vnmete to all good workes. 1600 P. Holland tr. Livy 596 They supposed, that they would..bee farre unmeet to contrive a conspiracie. 1670 R. Baxter 372 In those cases where violent restraint..is necessary, the Pastor is the unmeetest person to meddle in it. 1728 R. Warren v. 97 The Person..branded as unmeet to associate with Christians at the sacred Table,..was not to be shunned as an Enemy. 1808 W. Scott vi. xiii. 336 To each one whom he lists, howe'er Unmeet to be the owner's peer. 1846 J. Keble 228 Behold me, Lord, a worthless Gibeonite, Unmeet to bear one burthen in thy sight. 1884 Dec. 192 Shelley shall break in protest wild, undue, and Keats wring out his spirit for love of one unmeet to latch his shoe. 1908 19 Dec. 764/1 The song of ‘The Death of Kotchbar’ and ‘Shamil's Psalm’ show us the brave mountaineers as Epic heroes not unmeet to rank with those of Homer or Ossian. 2010 M. Thernstrom iv. 265 I was a weak seed, unmeet to be a help meet. a1529 J. Skelton (?1545) 32 Age is a page For the courte full vnmete. 1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach iii. f. 128v The olde that be barraine, or vnmeete for breeding. 1626 W. Gouge §2 They were too meane and unmeet persons for a function so high. 1647 N. Bacon 129 The more Baron, the lesse Bishop, and more unmeet for the service of Rome. a1698 W. Row Suppl. in R. Blair (1848) (modernized text) xi. 326 Mr. Blair was now infirm and unmeet for travel. ?a1743 S. Thomas (1746) ii. 6 He confounded their Language; whereby they were rendered unmeet for mutual Converse. 1816 C. R. Maturin (ed. 3) iii. ii. 34 The wayward Bertram and his moody mates Are tenants all unmeet for cloistered walls. 1855 Ld. Tennyson Maud iv. x, in 21 Ah Maud, you milkwhite fawn, you are all unmeet for a wife. 1863 J. Conington tr. Horace ii. xix. 27 [They] Deem'd thee belike for war's rough game Unmeet. 1909 ‘F. Danby’ xxviii. 364 Father and son, she was unmeet for either of them! b. Not suitable, fit, or proper; inappropriate. Now archaic. the world > relative properties > order > disorder > disharmony or incongruity > unsuitability or inappropriateness > [adjective] c1440 in M. L. Arntz (1981) 31 Wha so walde vmbythynke hyme whate tyme stelis fra hyme in..vnmayte werkes..vnmayte [a1425 Arun. vnnayt] wordes & oþer vanytes. 1528 J. Skelton sig. Aiiiv With baudy wordes vnmete Your tonges were to flete. a1602 W. Perkins (1619) 6 Inconuenience is when the thing or action is done in vnmeete circumstances. 1649 Bp. J. Hall iv. vi. 450 Such a marriage is very unmeet. 1675 T. Hobbes tr. Homer 27 While they contending were with words unmeet. 1791 W. Cowper tr. Homer Iliad in I. i. 145 It were much unmeet that I alone..should want due recompense. 1815 W. Scott v. vii. 182 With unaccustom'd ears, A language much unmeet he hears. 1863 J. M. Neale (ed. 2) 138 It is not for man's devices Here to pry with gaze unmeet. 1895 Sept. 587/2 ‘Thou hast the voice of angel, Mario,’ he said; ‘thou shouldst not desecrate it with silly songs; they are unmeet in an acolyte of the church.’ 1931 L. N. Richardson 1 It is not unmeet that present-day readers of eighteenth-century magazines assume a point of view equally sympathetic. 2011 N. Wiater tr. Valerius Maximus in ii. 109 They held that in all matters whatsoever the Greek cloak should be subordinate to the Roman gown, thinking it unmeet that the weight and authority of empire be sacrificed to the seductive charm of letters. 1496 (Pynson) sig. b Thou saw lorde this erth corrupt with fals adulacyon. And thought it place vnmete for iaspar thy knyght. a1575 N. Harpsfield (1878) (modernized text) 97 This kind of reason is..far unmeet for..these learned men. a1683 J. Owen (1693) 54 That which some oppose as unmeet for him, and beneath his Glory. 1757 C. Arnold 169 Ah! how unmeet for hoary ninety-nine; Close cuddling by a blooming Virgin's Side. 1815 W. Wordsworth i. 20 Why mention other thoughts unmeet For vision so composed and sweet? 1867 G. MacDonald 48 Trailing loose their white attire For the sapphire-floor unmeet. 1868 W. Morris i. 353 He rose and spoke in humble words, unmeet For a great King. 1969 R. Howard (1983) 66 Craved a name more musical than Lamb or Leech or Crabbe or Hogg, unmeet for a Grand Mannerist. 1984 R. Howard iii. 47 Charles, but it was only television! the one expression banned by Eliot..who declared the word unmete or at least unmetrical for verse. 2012 (Nexis) 9 Jan. Adam and Eve don't need to waste time taking off their clothes..—nor..have they to drop any defensive social mask unmeet for love. c1520 M. Nisbet (1901) I. Mark vii. 2 (margin) Quhatsaeuir was wncleynne or vnmeite to Godis seruice, it was callit commoune. 1541 c. 21 §7 Soo allso were it unmete and daungerous to the suretye of our..Kynge..to be construed by any lawe [etc.]. 1583 P. Stubbes sig. D6 It is very vnmeete to feede forren nations, and our owne country famish at home. 1647 H. More 319 Such surface skill's Unmeet to measure the profounder quill. 1703 W. Burkitt Mark iv. 2 Christ thought..a Ship, no unmeet Place to preach in. 1819 P. B. Shelley 25 It is unmeet To shed on the brief flower of youth The withering knowledge of the grave. 1862 D. Wilson I. iii. 49 It might not be unmeet to recall the terms of Horace Smith's quaint address to Belzoni's mummy. 1891 C. E. Norton tr. Dante I. 9 If the Adversary of every ill was courteous, it seemeth not unmeet to the man of understanding. 1935 A. Quiller-Couch 152 An ‘innocent’ song? If I may give a Shakespearian twist to a current vulgarism unmeet to be uttered in this company, ‘innocent?—Let me not think!’ 1996 A. Chamberlin (2003) xxi. 151 It was unmeet to expose either merchandise or buyers..to the heat of the day. †B. adv. rare. the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > extremely or exceedingly ?c1225 (?a1200) (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 42 (MED) Aȝeincunde hit is..& vnmete [c1230 Corpus Cambr. unmeað] sullich wunder þet deade men ne dotieð & wiðe quike wedeð þurch sunne. the world > relative properties > order > disorder > disharmony or incongruity > unsuitability or inappropriateness > [adverb] 1577 in C. Innes (1853) I. 88 It may sa fall out that as thay deale with ws sa may thay be delt with in tyme als vnmeitt be thair new freindship. the world > relative properties > relationship > equality or equivalence > inequality > [adverb] ?c1600 (c1515) Sc. Field (Lyme) 168 in I. F. Baird (D.Phil. thesis, Univ. of Birm.) (1990) 236 They were numbered nyne hundreth,..And the were X thousand by tale upon the other partie. Full unmette [c1650 Percy vnmeete] were they matched. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2014; most recently modified version published online March 2022). <  adj.adv.eOE |
