unmeriting

comparative more unmeriting · superlative most unmeriting

1. Not meriting; undeserving.

   Why then you ſhould diſcouer a brace of vnmeriting, proud, violent, teſtie Magiſtrates (alias Fooles) as any in Rome.

   1605–08, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Coriolanus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act II, scene i], page 8, column 2

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   And now giue me leaue[…]to assure my sealf, that your lordships and the rest, duely considering my deportment, and his lordship’s expressions, which being so publick amount to a reprehension, will adiudge me guiltlesse of any disrespectiue carriadge towards him, and consequently vnmeriting so neglectfull an expostulation, and from a transgressing any the orders of that high court of parlament, whose approbation I esteeme more then rewards for any seruice I can doe.

   1642 July 28, James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormond, “The earl of Ormond to the commissioners for the affairs of Ireland, appointed by the parliament of England”, in Thomas Carte, editor, The Life of James Duke of Ormond, page 350

   Now “Crazy Kate” was remarkable for showing nothing calculated to persuade the casual spectator into a belief in her fleetness. She was, in truth, a very vulgar-looking beast, singularly unmeriting the appellation of “Crazy,” as no creature could possibly have looked more tame.

   1852, William Gilmore Simms, “The Race: Cross Purposes”, in As Good as a Comedy: Or, The Tennesean’s Story, Philadelphia: A. Hart, page 86