Middle English Dictionary Entry
unnit n.
Entry Info
| Forms | unnit n. Also unnet, un(n)ut. |
| Etymology | OE unnyt(t, unnit, unnet n. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. unnait(e n.
1.
Uselessness, unprofitableness; also, that which is useless, something idle or vain; on ~, in vain.
Associated quotations
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)ded.82 : Þeȝȝ shulenn takenn itt Onn unnitt & onn idell.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)8059 : Uss birrþ alle samenn wel Hiss hallȝhe bisne follȝhenn, & all forrwerrpenn illc unnitt Off ægede & off leȝȝkess.
- a1225(OE) Lamb.Hom.VA (Lamb 487)107 : Hit bið lonsum bismer ȝif al ure life bið on unnet her.
- a1200(?OE) Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)207 : Ȝif he þenkeð þat he haueð…ofte…don idel and unut and ifel…þenne akeð þe heorte and smerteð.
- c1225(?c1200) HMaid.(Bod 34)16/217 : Ȝef ȝe…speokeð to gedere folliche & talkið of unnet, leccherie seið scheome þe menske of þi meiðhad.
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)180/12 : Þe pilegrim…sið & hereð unnet [Nero: unnut].