a. [UN-1 7.]

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  1.  Not having the proper religious faith; infidel, unbelieving. Also absol.

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1382.  Wyclif, 1 Cor. vii. 12. If ony brothir haue an vnfeithful … wyf, and sche consentith for to dwelle with hym, leue he … hir not. Ibid. (1388), Ps. l. 15. I schal teche wickid men thi weies; and vnfeithful men schulen be conuertid to thee.

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1456.  Sir G. Haye, Law Arms (S.T.S.), 106. Thai landis that the unfaithfull men haldis.

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1534.  More, Treat. Passion, Wks. 1341/2. Justinus … writing of our faith in his second Apologye to the unfaithful Emperour Antonius.

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1560.  Bible (Genev.), 2 Esdras xv. 4. For euery vnfaithful shal dye in his vnfaithfulnes.

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1643–5.  Milton, Divorce, I. viii. The author of a generall divorce between the faithfull and unfaithfull seed. Ibid. (1667), P. L., XII. 481. What will betide the few, His faithful, left among th’ unfaithful herd, The enemies of truth?

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1768–74.  Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1834), II. 484. Whatever supernatural virtue or nutritive faculty the priest has infused into the bread, are verily … received by the unfaithful.

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1800.  Asiat. Ann. Reg., Misc. Tr., 334/1. Therefore he who follows Mahommedanism and … violates this treaty, so comporting himself like the unfaithful [etc.].

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  † b.  Not in accordance with faith; irreligious.

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1549.  Compl. Scot., i. 22. Mony ignorant pepil hes confermit ane ymaginet onfaythtful opinione in ther hede.

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  2.  Not keeping good faith; acting falsely or treacherously. Also absol.

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c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, 714. Vnfaithfull freke, with þi fals cast, Þat such a lady belirt.

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1530.  Palsgr., 328/1. Unfaythfull of promesse, desloyal.

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1549.  Cheke, Hurt Sedit., L j. Shall they not truly say the subiectes to be more vnfaithfull in disobedience, than other subiects worse ordered be.

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1600.  Shaks., A. Y. L., IV. i. 199. I will thinke you the most patheticall breake-promise … that may bee chosen out of the grosse band of the vnfaithfull.

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1620.  in Foster, Eng. Factories Ind. (1906), I. 209. Theis Pegu factors were fownde to be royotous, vitious and unfaithfull.

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a. 1729.  Congreve, Ovid’s Art of Love, III. 63. The prince so far for piety renown’d, To thee, Eliza, was unfaithful found.

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1803.  Wellesley, in Owen, Desp. (1877), 331. I propose to view this transaction as the combined offence of two unfaithful servants.

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1832.  Ht. Martineau, Demerara, iii. 35. I should be unfaithful if I had ever promised either.

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  b.  transf. Of things.

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a. 1586.  Sidney, Arcadia, III. xii. The unfaythfull armour yeelding to the swoordes strong-guided sharpenesse.

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1615.  G. Sandys, Trav., 2. A sea tempestuous and unfaithfull, at an instant incensed with sudden gusts.

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1669.  Dryden, Tyrannic Love, I. i. I … Did first the depth of trembling Marshes sound, And fix’d my Eagles in unfaithful ground.

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1726.  Leoni, trans. Alberti’s Archit., I. 35. Sea-sand … is … unfaithful in supporting great Weights.

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1779.  Sheridan, Monody on Garrick, 14. As Fancy, oft,… ..Has view’d by shadowy Eve’s unfaithful Gloom, A weeping Cherub on a Martyr’s Tomb.

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1831.  G. P. R. James, Phil. Augustus, I. v. One of those people whose lips—those ever unfaithful guardians of the treasures of the heart—are peculiarly apt to murmur … unconsciously.

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1842.  Tennyson, Love & Duty, 91. With quiet eyes unfaithful to the truth.

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  c.  Not following an original, not translating or translated, faithfully; incorrect, inexact.

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a. 1697.  Aubrey, Lives (1898), II. 174. He was a learned man,… but is much blamed for his unfaithfull quotations.

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1724.  A. Collins, Gr. Chr. Relig., 163. The Septuagint seems the work both of ignorant and unfaithful Translators.

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1776.  Mickle, trans. Camoens’ Lusiad, Introd. 130. The unfaithful and unpoetical version [of the Lusiad] of Fanshaw.

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1798.  Ferriar, Illustr. Sterne, etc., 91. Burton has spoiled this passage by an unfaithful translation.

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1855.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xix. IV. 332. An unfaithful interpreter of the sense of the nation.

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1864.  Pusey, Lect. Daniel, 379. To which act this writer probably alluded in his unfaithful paraphrase, ‘chrism shall be removed.’

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  d.  spec. Not faithful in wedlock.

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1828.  Webster, s.v., An unfaithful husband or wife.

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1841.  W. Spalding, Italy & It. Isl., II. 147. Galeotto Manfredi,… having married Francesca Bentivoglio … not only was unfaithful to her, but treated her with cruelty.

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  3.  Of conduct: Characterized by want of good faith; not honest or upright.

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1565.  Cooper, s.v. Perfidia, To be deceiued by ones treacherie and vnfaithfull dealing. Ibid., s.v. Infidus, An vnfaithfull league that will not long be kepte.

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1651.  Jer. Taylor, Serm. for Year, xxiii. 292. Lying or craftinesse, and unfaithful usages, robs a man of the honour of his soul.

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1680.  Otway, Orphan, IV. vi. I might think with Justice most severely Of this unfaithful dealing with your Brother.

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1704.  Trapp, Abra-Mulé, II. i. 451. Spies … who for hope Of a Reward, will give the Sultan notice Of such unfaithful Dealing.

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1866.  Geo. Eliot, F. Holt, v. Your father … was, as I understand, a man whose walk was not unfaithful.

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