Middle English Dictionary Entry
unclē̆nlī adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | unclē̆nlī adj. Also (K) onclenlich(e. |
| Etymology | From clē̆nlī adj. & OE unclǣnlīc. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Sinful; immoral, impure.
Associated quotations
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)42/33-4 : Ich clepie onclenlich huanne þe seruises byeþ y-do uor onclenliche cause.
- (c1438) MKempe B (Add 61823)236/31 : Þei clepyd hir Englisch sterte & spokyn many lewyd wordys vn-to hir, schewyng vn-clenly cher & cuntenawns.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)3780 : Thei chiknes flesche putte vndirneþe hir pappes, Hem to defende from vnclenly happes.
- a1450 Aelred Inst.(2) (Bod 423)2/42 : Certeyn, suche lusty tales gendren leccherous ymaginatyf thouȝtes…sekynge by whom, where, and whan she might fulfille in dede that the whiche hath so longe be vnclenly thoughte.
- a1500 Proc.Chanc.in Archaeol.ser.2.69 : Thomas Dyconson, a keper of one of the unclenly howsez…hath of his grete malice trobolid, swed and arrested your said supplyant…by dyverse fayned accions of dett…tho that ben inpaneld in the enquest ben occupyers and kepers of such unclenly and defamy places as the said Thomas is.
- c1525 Rule & T.St.Francis(2) (Fst D.4)577 : Also no confessorre may assoile any brother of vnclenly towchinge or of sterynge of ther self knowleginge too the synne of the flesshe withoute he haue pour to assoile in the synne of the flesshe.