Unknowingly

adv. [UN-¹ 11: cf. prec.] Without knowledge, ignorantly; unintentionally. Also const. to (a person).

1340.  Ayenb., 175. Huanne me zeneȝeþ wytindeliche, me zeneȝeþ more ynoȝ þanne onknawyndliche.

c. 1440.  Promp. Parv., 366/1. On-knowyngly, ignoranter.

a. 1500.  Ratis Raving, I. 904. Better to be styll Than say vnknawandly thar tyll.

1641.  Sir E. Dering, Sp. on Relig., 22 Nov., 70. I speake it not unknowingly.

1697.  Dryden’s Virg. Past., Preface (1721), I. 97. The Roman Historian … falls, unknowingly, into a Verse not unworthy Virgil himself.

1709.  Shaftesb., Charac. (1711), II. 89. An Eye … fails not to shut together, of its own accord, unknowingly to us.

1768–74.  Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1834), I. 595. Made unknowingly to work out the advantage of fellow-creatures, whereof we have not the least knowledge.

1807.  Wordsw., White Doe, II. 100. Leaning on a lance Which he had grasped unknowingly.

1871.  Freeman, Hist. Ess., Ser. I. iii. 213. Nations and parties learn to shape themselves unknowingly.