In quot. c. 1723 misused for ‘not unbuckled’ (in sense 2).
c. 1489. Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, i. 42. There sholde ye haue seen … many … helmes vnbocled and sore beten.
1667. Milton, P. L., XI. 245. His starrie Helme unbuckl’d shew’d him prime In Manhood.
c. 1723. Ramsay, The Nuptials, 145. That zone … lang unbuckled grows a hatefu’ thing.
1809. Med. Jrnl., XXI. 389. The girths being unbuckled, the whole of the back may be exposed and dressed.
1825. Scott, Talism., ii. The long and ponderous Gothic war-sword which was flung unbuckled on the same sod.
1875. Bedford, Sailor’s Pocket Bk., vii. 220. Whilst in the boats they are to keep them unbuckled.
