[UN-1 7. Cf. ON. úlífligr.]
† 1. Unliving, lifeless. Obs.–1
1563. Man, Musculus’ Commonpl., 43 b. What honor is that to God … to worshippe the dead and unlively shapes as Gods.
2. Not lively, animated, or bright; dull.
1608. Willet, Hexapla Exod., 340. Dead and vnliuely colours.
1615. G. Sandys, Trav., 114. These [medals] now cut, seeme lame … and vnliuely counterfets.
1723. Gay, in Lett. C’tess Suffolk (1824), I. 120. This is no unlively picture of a damsel who might please.
1866. Athenæum, No. 1999. 235/1. Their hopes are not unlively.
1894. Daily News, 27 July, 5/3. This list was considerably thinned before the long, unlively debate concluded.
Hence Unliveliness.
1643. Milton, Divorce, I. 8. All the unlivelines and naturall sloth which is really unfit for conversation.
