Middle English Dictionary Entry
unhappīnes(se n.
Entry Info
| Forms | unhappīnes(se n. |
| Etymology | From unhappī adj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Misfortune, mishap;
(b) the condition of being unhappy, sadness.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)303/24 : Unhappyly he hath done this day thorow myssehappe, for I saw hym sle two knyghtes…and other dedis he ded…thorow unhappynesse.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)305/11 : This unhappy kychyn knave hath slayne thy brothir thorow unhappynes.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)342/13 : I have bene so sore wounded with unhappynesse sitthyn I cam into this castell that I shall nat be able to do at that turnemente lyke a knyght.
- a1500 Chartier Quad.(2) (Rwl A.338)194/32 : Thorough my folische errour and the parties tha[t] I haue vntrwely susteyned is the confusion and the vnhappynes [CQ(1): vnhappy mischeefes] fallen vpon vs.
b
- a1500 Chartier Treat.Hope (Rwl A.338)35/30 : Synne is so foule…that it drawith vnto hym myserye and seruage, and his delyte is alway accompenyed with vnhappynesse.