ppl. a. (UN-1 10.)
1652. Benlowes, Theoph., XII. xlii. Such suppling balm As might vain trophies turn to an unfading Palm.
1738. Gray, Propertius, III. 9. Let on this head unfading flowers reside.
1816. Southey, Poet’s Pilgr., I. 216. The vallies with perpetual fruitage blest, The mountains with unfading foliage drest.
1869. Ruskin, Q. of Air, i. § 5. The real atmosphere, calm in its dominion of unfading blue.
b. In figurative use.
1665. Boyle, Occas. Refl., Sect. iv. iv. 73. We should … receive unfading Honours, and uncloying Delights.
1728. Ramsay, Bonny Kate, viii. His pleasure each moment shall blossom Unfading, gets her for his mate.
1765. Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1834), II. 312. He might have excited sensations, ideas, and intelligence,… permanent, unfading, and unsatiating.
1820. Scott, Monast., xxxii. By His holy Word, that unfading and unerring lamp of our paths.
Hence Unfadingly adv., Unfadingness.
a. 1672. Sterry, Rise, Race, & Royalty Kingd. God (1683), 211. All flourish together *unfadingly in the person of Christ.
1806. Moore, Epist., V. 44. That … The rose and the stream … Should still be before me, unfadingly bright.
1658. Phillips, Immarcescence, *unfadingness.
1797. Polwhele, Hist. Devonsh., I. 160. That its use … was known to the Phenicians will appear probable, when we consider the unfadingness of their purple.
1860. Pusey, Min. Proph., 91. Graces beyond nature, in their manifoldness, completeness, unfadingness.
