Unbounded

ppl. a. [UN-¹ 8.]

  1.  Not bounded or limited in extent. Also fig., of the Deity.

1598.  Florio, Interminato, vnbounded, boundles, vnlimited.

1667.  Milton, P. L., X. 471. With what paine [I have] Voyag’d th’ unreal, vast, unbounded deep Of horrible confusion.

a. 1711.  Ken, Hymns Festiv., Poet. Wks. 1721, I. 270. God’s Presence is himself; for none Unbounded is but God alone.

1730.  Thomson, Autumn, 902. Mean-time, light-shadowing all, a sober calm Fleeces unbounded ether.

1808.  Scott, Marm., IV. Introd. 160. The wild unbounded hills we ranged.

1821.  Byron, Heav. & Earth, I. iii. Earth shall be ocean! And no breath, Save of the winds, be on the unbounded wave!

1870–2.  Liddon, Elem. Relig., iv. § 1. The Unbounded, All-powerful Being is alone the good.

  b.  Unlimited in amount.

1646.  Crashaw, Steps to Temple, Miracle of Multiplyed Loaves, 3. See here an easie Feast,… A subtle Harvest of unbounded bread.

1695.  Prior, Ode Queen’s Death, xxiii. As Waters from her Sluces, flow’d Unbounded Sorrow from her Eyes.

1709.  Hearne, in R. Glouc. Chron. (1724), II. 603. Ador’d and flatter’d upon account of their Dignity and unbounded Wealth.

1763.  Wilkes, Corr. (1805), I. 89. Testimonies of an unbounded confidence in your veracity and good faith.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., vii. II. 257. The writers generally expressed unbounded reverence and affection for William.

1867.  Dickens, Lett. (1880), II. 272. The enthusiasm has been unbounded.

1897.  Mary Kingsley, W. Africa, 474. Owing entirely to … her own unbounded courage and energy.

  2.  Not restrained or kept within limits; unchecked, uncontrolled.

  Not always clearly distinguishable from prec. sense.

1608.  Chapman, Byron’s Consp., II. i. 47. In such air breathe his unbounded spirits, Which therefore well will fit such conjurations.

1647.  N. Ward, Simple Cobler, 49. They are a good People, that undoe not their Prince, by any one of their unbounded Liberties.

1736.  Butler, Anal., I. v. Wks. 1874, I. 108. Prosperity itself … begets extravagant and unbounded thoughts.

1794.  R. J. Sulivan, View Nat., I. iii. 14. Their unbounded claims … to temporal … dominion.

1823.  Scott, Quentin D., i. A tone of romantic and chivalrous gellantry (which, however, was often disgraced by unbounded license).

1830.  Herschel, Study Nat. Phil., 7. Cherishing as a vital principle an unbounded spirit of enquiry.

1854.  Bancroft, Hist. U.S., I. ii. 34. Leaving his wife to govern the island, he and his company, full of unbounded expectations, embarked for Florida.

  3.  Of persons (and animals): Unchecked or uncontrolled in action.

1612.  Two Noble K., I. ii. 70. A most unbounded Tyrant.

1656.  Cowley, Davideis, IV. 241. Let his power loose, and you shall quickly see How mild a thing unbounded Man will be.

1681.  Dryden, Abs. & Achit., I. 762. Then they are left Defenceless, to the Sword Of each unbounded, Arbitrary Lord.

1725.  De Foe, Voy. round World (1840), 312. The fellows were so rude, so ungovernable and so unbounded in their hunting after gold.

1728.  Savage, Bastard, 19. Nature’s unbounded son, he stands alone, His heart unbiass’d, and his mind his own.

1818.  Scott, Hrt. Midl., xxxvi. Numberless flocks and herds, which seemed to wander unrestrained and unbounded through the rich pastures.

  b.  Profusely generous or liberal.

a. 1704.  T. Brown, Praise Drunken., Wks. 1730, I. 35. Their darling humour, avarice, is lost, and their hearts become unbounded, and free as the God by whom they are possess’d.

1825.  Scott, Talism., xxiii. It is well known that the high esteem of the European knowledge and courage made the Soldan unbounded in his gifts to those who … had been induced to take the turban.