arch. Forms: 5–7 frustrat, (6 frustraite), 5– frustrate. [ad. L. frustrāt-us, pa. pple. of frustrārī, frustrāre: see next.] Equivalent to the later FRUSTRATED.
† A. pa. pple. In various senses of the vb. Obs.
In recent archaistic use the word is prob. viewed by the writers as adj.; see the examples under B.
1447. Bokenham, Seyntys (Roxb.), 100. So the abbot frustrat went home sory.
1471. Ripley, Comp. Alch., v., in Ashm. (1652), 148. That thy labor therfore be not frustrate.
1500–20. Dunbar, Poems, xxxv. 40. Sleipand and walkand wes frustrat my desyr.
1504. Atkynson, trans. De Imitatione, III. iii. 197. They be ofte frustrate of that that they truste vpon, but the promyse of our Lorde god deceyueth no man.
1528. Gardiner, in Pocock, Rec. Ref., I. l. 103. The said Commission might be … frustrate and letted.
1529. More, Dyaloge, III. Wks. 236/1. Because the cumming together of the Lordes from Grenewiche … shoulde not bee frustrate.
1540–1. Elyot, Image Gov., 24. Noble Germanicus, who shoulde have succeded Tiberius in the empyre, if the treason of Fiso hadde not frustrate the truste of the People.
1555. Eden, Decades (Arb.), 118. Beinge therfore thus frustrate of the increase of theyr seedes, and the kynges nere abowte them fpoyled of both vytayles and golde, they were enforced to seeke theyr meate further of.
1606. Shaks., Ant & Cl., V. i. 2. Go to him, Dollabella, bid him yeeld, Being so frustrate, tell him, He mockes the pawses that he makes.
1642. Milton, An Apology against Smectymnuus (1851), 270. He who would not be frustrate of his hope to write well hereafter in laudable things, ought him selfe to be a true Poem, that is, a composition, and patterne of the best and honourablest things.
a. 1693. Urquhart, Rabelais, III. Prol. 13. He was altogether frustrate and disappointed.
B. ppl. a.
1. a. Bereft or deprived of, or of the chance of; destitute of. Obs. exc. arch. Cf. Fr. frustré.
1576. A. Fleming, A Panoplie of Epistles, 3. Death … leaveth the body frustrate of feeling.
1587. A. Day, Daphnis & Chlor. Frustrate was his body of garments.
1602. Fulbecke, 1st Pt. Parall., Introd. 1. Such a profitable thing should [not] be altogether frustrate of attempt, howsoeuer voide of effect.
1616. J. Haig, in J. Russell, Haigs, vi. (1881), 140. I am frustrat of money, so that I cannot come to Newmarket myself.
1632. Lithgow, Trav., IV. 149. Returne againe from whence they came frustrate of power, and robbed of obedience.
1868. Browning, Ring & Bk., IV. 140.
| Pauses with a little compunction for the face | |
| Of Pietro frustrate of its ancient cheer. | |
| Ibid. (1878), La Saisiaz, 361. | |
| For at what moment did I so advance | |
| Near to knowledge as when frustrate of escape from ignorance? |
† b. Balked, disappointed of. Obs.
1563. Homilies, II., Sacrament, II. (1859), 439. That the same most mercifull worke might … not be frustrate of his end and purpose.
1675. Hobbes, Odyssey, X. 412. But of that intent I was made frustrate by the Company.
1703. A. B., Law Success. Benefices, 34. The great Work … becomes frustrate of its End.
2. Failing of effect; ineffectual, fruitless, unavailing, useless. ? Obs.
1529. More, Dyaloge, I. Wks. 144/1. And finally, then wer these wordes frustrate where he said: Lo, I am wt you al ye dayes to ye worldes ende.
1600. Maides Metam., III. i., in Bullen, O. Pl., I. 131. We wish you to forbeare this frustrate mone.
1651. Stanley, Poems, 34. And doth relate His frustrate sport.
1715–20. Pope, Iliad, V. 237. Some guardian of the skies, Involved in clouds … turns unseen the frustrate dart away.
1785. Martyn, Rousseau’s Bot., x. (1794), 102–3. The florets in the disk or centre are perfect, and produce seed; whilst those of the ray are imperfect, and therefore abortive or frustrate; whence the name.
1847. R. W. Hamilton, Disq. Sabbath, i. (1848), 20. Else were creation a frustrate thing.
† b. Of a legal document, enactment, or proceeding: Invalid, null, unavailing. Obs.
1497. Bp. Alcock, Mons Perfect., C iij. Without they be kept in dewe obedyence ben voyde & frustrate.
c. 1555. Harpsfield, Divorce Hen. VIII. (Camden) 46. Whether all marriages made against that prohibition were void and frustrate it is not very certain.
1590. Swinburne, Testaments, 263. The later testament doth make frustrate the former.
1638. Sir R. Cotton, Abstr. Rec. Tower, 6. Thus the Parliament continued … untill the King was out of debt, making frustrate the grant.
1664. Flodden F., I. 6. The league therefore and peace is vain And frustrate.
3. Of a desire, hope, purpose, etc.: Balked, defeated, disappointed, futile.
1588. Q. Eliz., in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. II. III. 138. That purposse which we double not but by godes goodnes, shall prove frustrate.
1647. May, Hist. Parl., II. v. 91. Expecting also that Sir John Penington with some of his ships should stop the passages, and cut of provisions from relieving the Town by Sea, though that expectation were made frustrate by the Earl of Warwick his seizing on the Navie Royal.
1700. Dryden, Fables, Meleager & Atalanta, 163.
| But out of Order thrown, in Air they join; | |
| And multitude makes frustrate the Design. |
1740. Somerville, Hobbinol, III. 348.
| A froward Babe hung at her flabby Breast, | |
| And tug’d for Life; but wept, with hideous Moan, | |
| His frustrate Hopes, and unavailing Pains. |
1863. I. Williams, Baptistery, II. xxiv. (1874), 93.
| Better than all the talk of living men, | |
| Which in their frustrate longings still again | |
| The weary round of earthly things pursue! |
1876. Farrar, Marlb. Serm., xxxix. 395. To all of you pain must come, and inexorable weariness, and many frustrate hupes.
† 4. Idle, vain, purposeless. Obs.
1500–20. Dunbar, Poems, ix. 107. I knaw me vicious, Lord, and right culpable … Of frustrat speiking in court, in kirk, and table.
1529. More, A Dialoge of Comfort against Tribulacion, I. Wks. 1143/1. So were it vndoutedlye frustrate to laye spirituall causes of coumforte, to hym that hath no faythe.
1535. Act 27 Hen. VIII., c. 3. Without frustrate or wilful delay.
Hence † Frustrately adv., in vain.
1632. Vicars, trans. Virgil’s Æneid, XI. 812.
| Great Tuscane dames, as she their towns past by, | |
| Wisht her their daughter in law, but frustrately. |
