1. = INEXPERT a.
a. 1425. trans. Arderne’s Treat. Fistula, etc., 55. Lewed men and vnexperte men calleþ al þe infirmitez bredyng in þe lure emeroydez, or pilez, or fics.
1509. Barclay, Shyp of Folys (1570), ¶¶ v, If ye consider the scarcenes of my wit, and my vnexpert youth.
1598. Barret, Theor. Warres, II. i. 23. The expert souldier loth to obey the vnexpert Captaine.
1639. G. Daniel, Ecclus. xxxiv. 25. Ignorance is vnexpert, and the Face Of smiling Error leads to Wickedness.
1698. Fryer, Acc. E. India & P., 269. The Men here being unexpert how far the Friendly Offices [etc.].
b. Const. of or in.
(a) a. 1440. Found. St. Bartholomew’s (E.E.T.S.), 62. Vtterly Vnexpert of mannys cownsell and helpe.
c. 1520. Barclay, Jugurth, 32 b. Theyt felowes which were fereful and unexpert of suche chaunces of warre.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. VI., 150 b. Nor of diligence, studie, and businesse, she was not vnexperte.
1635. Heywood, Hierarchy, VI. 393. A Barbarian,… Unexpert of your Greekish plenitude.
a. 1689. Mrs. Behn, Mem. Crt. K. Bantam (1722), II. 295. A pure Celibate, and altogether unexpert of Women.
(b) 1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 274. They that be vnexperte in suche spirituall swetnesse.
1551. Robinson, trans. More’s Utop., II. (1895), 121. Yf they should be al together newe and fresh and vnexperte in husbandrie.
1629. Wadsworth, Pilgr., 35. Wee were young and vnexpert in sea fight.
1684. J. S., Profit & Pleas. United, 166. Such Uner[r]ing Rules, as will … perfect the unexpert therein.
1778. [W. H. Marshall], Minutes Agric. Observ., 159. A man unexpert in boxing the Compass.
c. ellipt. in special sense.
a. 1586. Sidney, Arcadia, III. v. Not doubting the easie conquest of an unexpert virgin.
1623. Wodroephe, Marrow Fr. Tongue, 322/2. If a Woman be a Virgen, shee is vnexpert.
2. Of things: Untried. rare–1.
c. 1510. Barclay, Mirr. Gd. Manners (1570), B v. When thou shalt ought do of unexpert or newe.
Hence † Unexpertly adv., -ness, Obs.
1538. Latimer, Rem. (Parker Soc.), 398. If affection do reign in me, then I will not; if ignorance and unexpertness, then I cannot.
1565. Cooper, Imperite, vnexpertly: vnskilfully.
1598. Florio, Imperitia, vnskilfulnes, vnexpertnes.
1611. Cotgr., Imperitement,… vnlearnedly; vnexpertly.
