ppl. a. Forms: 1, 4–5 unbeden (3 Orm. unnbedenn); 4 vnbiden, 5 -bidyn, -byden; 4, 6–7 vn-, 6– unbidden. (UN-1 8 b. Cf. NFris. ünbeden, MDu. and Du. ongebeden, MHG. and G. ungebeten, ON. úbeðinn, Icel. óbeðinn (Norw. ubeden).] Not asked or invited; not commanded or directed.
pred. c. 1010. Ælfric, Past. Ep., xlix., in Thorpe, Anc. Laws (1840), II. 386. Sume preostas … unbedene gaderiað hi to ðam lice.
c. 1200. Ormin, 17081. Forrþi toc Crist forrþrihht anan Unnbedenn & unnbonedd … To mælenn & to spellenn.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 14912. He wil him all vnbiden [v.r. vnbidden] bede.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Serm., Sel. Wks. II. 120. And siþ alle þes failen to men, how shulden þei fiȝte unbeden of God?
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 9943. Breisaid the burd, vnbidyn of hir fader, Full duly to Dyamede dressit to wend.
1427. Wills & Inv. N. C. (Surtees), I. 74. Þai þat come thidir þat tyme vnbyden be fewe.
1583. in Strype, Ann. Ref. (1709), III. xvi. 183. The painful pastors and ministers of the Word … are condemned,… Some for leaving the Holidays unbidden.
1608. Dod & Cleaver, Expos. Prov. xi.–xii. 122. That we goe not unsent, nor come unbidden.
1685. Baxter, Paraphr. N. T., Matt. xiv. 28. Yet none must tempt God, nor go unbidden into danger.
1726. Pope, Odyss., XVII. 365. Adown his cheek a tear unbidden stole.
1796. Mme. D’Arblay, Camilla, X. x. Thou art come, uncalled, unbidden, thy task unfulfilled, thy peace unearned.
1842. Manning, Serm., ii. (1848), I. 30. Thoughts … thrust themselves unbidden now into the abode where they were wont to be welcomed before.
1859. Tennyson, Merlin & V., 426. And beasts themselves would worship; camels knelt Unbidden.
1873. Black, Pr. Thule, iv. 47. Tears had sprung to her eyes unbidden.
attrib. a. 1425. Cursor M., 14243 (Trin.). Þere were fele hem to rewe And also mony vnbeden iewe Þider coom.
1548. Udall, etc., Erasm. Par., Luke vii. 74. She did not onely ieoperde as an vnbidden geaste boldely to entre into the house of a Pharisee, but [etc.].
1573. G. Harvey, Letter-bk. (Camden), 42. He lookith like … an unbidden geste that knowes not where to sitt him downe.
1620. Brinsley, Virgil, 58/3. I do not sing vnbidden (vncommanded) things.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., I. 227. Burrs and Brambles, an unbidden Crew Of graceless guests, th’ unhappy Field subdue.
1718. Pope, Iliad, XIV. 396. Glad earth … from her bosom pours Unbidden herbs, and voluntary flowers.
1805. Scott, Last Minstrel, IV. xxv. Gush’d to her eye the unbidden tear.
1850. F. W. Newman, Phases Faith, 163. Judaism also unlearnt polygamy, and made an unbidden improvement upon Moses.
