Middle English Dictionary Entry
unwarned(e ppl.
Entry Info
| Forms | unwarned(e ppl. Also (early SWM) unwearnede & (error) unwarde. |
| Etymology | From OE unwarnod & ME warned(e , p.ppl. of warnen v. The form unwarde could also be construed as from wārede, warred, p.ppl. of wāren v.(1) with the sense ‘unprotected’. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Of a person: unforewarned, uninformed, not apprised; unaware, unsuspecting; ?also, as quasi-adv.: unsuspectingly, unawares [quots. 1st & ?a1400];
(b) not protected by arms or fortifications; unguarded; unarmed; also in fig. context [1st quot.].
Associated quotations
a
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)480 : Lamech droge is arwe ner, And letet flegen of ðe streng, Caim unwarde [?read: unwarnede] it under-feng, Grusnede, and strekede, and starf wið-ðan.
- (1389) Lond.Gild Ret.in Bk.Lond.E.(PRO C 47/var.)55/57 : Þat eche brother be warned by þe wardeyns to be atte dirige in his laste lyuere…ȝif any broþer…be [n]ouȝt at þe enterement…& be warned, he schal paie ij li. of wex…& ȝif any man be vnwarned, by þe defaute of þe maystres, The maistres schul paie þe same peyne.
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.13 : Brittrik her lord, þat scho nouht wiste, Unwarned drank þerof a drauht…þer of gan he die.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)341/134 : Sen he schall dye as tyte, And þei vnwarned wore, I ware worthy to wite, I will go faste ther-fore.
- a1500(?c1400) Song Roland (Lnsd 388)314 : If Gwynylon tressour haue tak…And to the soudan sold vs…he may the[n] haue vs…And we vn-warnyd þer-of in this tid.
- a1500 Lydg.LOL (Adv 19.3.1)p.107 : Sodenly All at onis when men vnwarnyd bee, They [serpents] styngon in hart and schewon her cruelte.
- a1525(?1456) Cov.Leet Bk.295 : Because no persones shuld be greued be these ordenaunces vnwarned, we ordeyn þat þes ordenaunces be radde to euery of þe seid officers.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)2137 : It sittes vs…Er any batell be boune, hom to bale worthe, Þat vnwarnyt [are] of our werkes or hom wo happon.
b
- c1225(?c1200) SWard (Bod 34)18/170 : Nis his [devil’s] strengðe noht wurð bute hwer se he ifindeð eðeliche, & wake, unwarnede [Tit: vnwearnede] of treowe bileaue.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)1176 : He let also arere Vpe þe water stronge hous, þat hii vnwarned nere, & of þe ȝonge folc of þe lond þerinne dude inowe, To be prest to kepe hor fon wenne hii þuder drowe.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)7.177 : Þay allegged þat þay myȝte not…wiþ oute perille…walke wiþ so fewe men and unwarned [L inermibus].
2.
Unexpected, unforeseen; undetected; also, as adv.: unexpectedly, without warning, suddenly.
Associated quotations
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)2682 : Bi a lond-weige he wente rigt, And brogte vn-warnede on hem figt.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))2 Mac.8.6 : He aboue cummynge to castels and cytees, vnwarnyd, brente hem.
- c1390 Mirror St.Edm.(1) (Vrn)379 : Kep vs…ffrom temptaciun of þe fende, Of sodeyn deþ vnwarned to telle, And also from þe pyne of helle.
- c1390 Whon Men beoþ (Vrn)170 : Sum men seiþ þat deþ is a þef, And al vnwarned wol on him stele.
- a1500(1407) *Exam.Wm.of Thorpe [OD col.] (Rwl C.208)6b : Þei ben sodeynli & vnwarned brouȝt forþ to ben apposid of aduersaries.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)34a(1)/b : Improuisus: vnwarned or vnavised.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)9486 : Vnwarned fro þeym y went oute, ffor when y out of þe castel ȝede, Y spak to non.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)9819 : Tak sex hundred of gode knyghtes…Al vnwarned on þem falle.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)39/28 : Þe kyng hymselfe wold mony a tyme vnwarned come to þe mete…forto se þe aray of Thomas howshold.