a. ? Obs. Forms: α. 1 unbeald, 3 onbald, 1, 3–6 un-, vnbald (4 -baald, -balde), 6, 9 Sc. unbauld; 4–5 un-, vnbolde, 4, 6 onbolde, 6–7 vnbould. β. 4–5 un-, vnbelde. [UN-1 7. Cf. OHG. unbald.] Lacking in boldness; deficient in self-confidence or energy; timid, bashful; backward, slow.
α. c. 897. K. Ælfred, Gregory’s Past. C., xl. 289. He for his monnðwærnesse aslawað, & wierð to unbeald.
a. 900. Cynewulf, Juliana, 427. Wende ic, þæt þu þy wærra weorþan sceolde … & þy unbealdra.
c. 1205. Lay., 16306. Þer fore maȝen Bruttes beon muchele þe vnbaldur [c. 1275 onbaldere]. Ibid., 28159. Þa weoren Bruttisce men swiðe vnbalde uorþæn.
a. 1310. in Wright, Lyric P., xxxvi. 100. When we shule suen thy wounde blede, to spoke thenne we bueth unbolde.
13[?]. Minor Poems of Vernon MS., xxxvii. 172. As a lord schalt þou be cald, Þer oþure schul stonde behynde vnbald.
c. 1460. Lament. Virg., in Chester Pl. (Shaks. Soc.), II. 206/2. But whan he lyste they were on slepe, For to wakyn they were unbolde.
c. 1480. Henryson, Thre Deid Pollis, 8 (Bann. MS.). Off thy self, man, thow may be richt vnbald.
1530. Palsgr., 632. I make unbolde or shamfull. Ibid. Twenty honest women can nat make her onbolde agayne.
1611. Florio, Inaudace, vndaring, cowardly, fearefull, vnbould.
1825. Jamieson, Unbauld, humble, self-abased, Clydes[dale].
β. 13[?]. Sir Beues (A.), 47. Man, whan he falleþ in to elde, Feble a wexeþ and vnbelde Þourȝ riȝt resoun.
13[?]. Metr. Hom. (Vernon MS.), in Herrig’s Archiv., LVII. 277. Whon þis Monk com to feir elde To worchen ouht he was vnbelde.
a. 1470. Harding, Chron., CCIX. iii. The which the duke of Burgoyn wold haue weld, Because to hym they were so vnbelde, Theim to haue slayn.
