a. Obs. [UN-1 7 and 5 b. Cf. MDu. ondiscreet.] = INDISCREET a. (Common c. 1400–1650.) a. Of persons.
1382. Wyclif, Ecclus. xxxi. 23. Waking, and colere, and anguysh to an vndiscreet man.
c. 1400. trans. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh., 116. He þat hauys a greet wombe, ys vndiscreet, foltysch, proud.
1482. Monk of Evesham (Arb.), 97. He was lyght of behauyng and ondyscrete as in eatyng and drynkyng.
1549. Latimer, 3rd Serm. bef. Edw. VI. (Arb.), 77. We are noted to be rassh, and vndiscrete in our preachynge.
1584. R. Scot, Discov. Witchcr., XIV. viii. (1886), 311. Into what follie and madnes vaine hope may drive undiscreete and unexpert men.
1676. Hobbes, Iliad, 308. What need we, like two women in the street,… to rail and scoff? Who, say they true or false, are undiscreet.
a. 1704. T. Brown, Wks. (1709), III. II. 116. My Despair proceeded not from the same Motive, as that of the undiscreet Lucretia.
absol. 1535. Coverdale, Ecclus. xxvii. 12. Yf thou be amonge the vndiscrete.
1595. Daniel, Civ. Wars, I. l. This publique course … compassion drawes; Especially in cases of the great, which worke much pitty in the undiscreat.
b. Of actions, conduct, etc.
c. 1340. Hampole, Prose Tr., 17. He … by vndiscrete trauellynge turnes þe braynes in his heuede.
1420–2. Lydg., Thebes, III. 3114. Thorgh vndiscret and hasty gredynesse.
c. 1440. Jacob’s Well, 99. Be-cause of þin vndyscret dyspysing it doth hym vnworschip.
1529. More, Dyaloge, IV. Wks. 276/2. Some of them may haue som time either ouer feruent mynd or vndiscrete zele.
1579. Lyly, Euphues (Arb.), 133. By which their vndiscreet dealing, they are like those sicke men which reiect the … cunning Phisition.
1640. Fuller, Joseph’s Coat, 182. The flames of ill-tempered and undiscreet zeal.
1694. Gracian’s Courtier’s Orac., 50. Blind passion, undiscreet engagement, imprudent haste, fool-hardiness.
