Middle English Dictionary Entry
unfitting ppl.
Entry Info
| Forms | unfitting ppl. |
| Etymology | From fitting(e , ppl. of fitten v. (b); sometimes confused with unsitting(e ppl. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Inappropriate, unsuitable; improper, indecorous; unbecoming, unseemly; of language: offensive, abusive.
Associated quotations
- (c1420) Let.Fastolf in Scrope Castle Combe271 : Thogh I take aworth whate ever ye wryte unto me, for I must tendre bothe youre person and worship, I wold not ye wrote so to none othir man, for the wordys be unfyttyng.
- (c1426) Audelay Poems (Dc 302)21/304 : Þat vnfyttyng sun, forsoþe, al verteus hit duystry; Hit lad Lusyfer to his los þat was an angel clere.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)401 : Ful ruyde and ful boistose and ful vnfitting to hem þat myȝte do bettir is þis maner of preiyng now seid.
- a1450(1408) Vegetius(1) (Dc 291)95/27 : Þey [knights] schulde not ben ordeyned to non special office…for it semyd to hem vnfitting þat he þat scholde resceiue of þe emperour lyuereye and clothing and sowd schuld be occupied in eny oþer office but in þe emperours werres.
- (1450) RParl.5.181b : The saide Duke…hath…caused to be made dyvers persones to be Shirreves…to th’entent to enhaunce hymself and have over grete and unfittyng rule.
- (1453) Proc.Privy C.6.158 : Ye in no wise…have favoured or lened in such unfittyng demenyng to that oon patie or to that other.
- c1475 3 Consid.(UC 85)186 : Who that othir wyse yiveth than with these circumstaunces, he ne is no liberalle yiver but rathir a verry sparpoyler and wastoure by foole largesse, which is a greet defaute, unfitting in a kynge or Prince.
- a1500(a1475) Ashby Dicta (Cmb Mm.4.42)359 : A moderate shame makith men to leve Many shameful thinges & vnfyttyng.
- c1500(1463) Ashby Pris.(Trin-C R.3.19)74 : In theyr seruyce I spendyd all my youth, And now in pryson throwen in myn age, Hauyng of me no pyte ne routh, Reuylyng me with vnfyttyng langage.
- a1525(?1464) Cov.Leet Bk.330 : The which laude & decree the seid Will. Huet in neyther braunche wold not obey, but vtterly refusyd, and had then right vnfyttyng, inordinate, & ceducious langage sownyng to the derogacion of the kynges lawes & of his peace yn right evyll example.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)8963 : Hit was unfittyng…þere souerain to voide.
- -?-(1474) Ordin.Househ.Pr.Edw.30* : We will that the principall offycers…see that theyre offices be well exercised and kepte to our sayde sonnes honnor, and noe brybery or unfittinge rule to be suffered in the same.