a. and adv. [UN-1 7 c, 11 b.]
1. Below the level of manly conduct towards others; brutally harsh or cruel; inhuman.
1579. J. Stubbes, Gaping Gulf, E vij. That barbarous vnmanlike, and treasonable victory vpon the noble Admirall.
a. 1586. Sidney, Arcadia, I. xii. The unman-like cruelty of mankind.
1633. Ford, ’Tis Pity, IV. iii. And wud you … kill her in your rage too? O ’twere most vn-manlike.
2. Inappropriate to a man or men.
a. 1586. Sidney, Arcadia, II. xviii. It was the voice of a man, though it were a verie unmanlike voice.
1638. Mayne, Lucian (1664), A 4. Rude, un-manlike Raylings; which concluded in a Civil Warre.
1660. T. Pierce, Inq. Nat. Sin, vi. § 20. 122. As if he were proud of such an unmanlike tergiversation.
3. = UNMANLY a.
a. 1586. Sidney, Arcadia, II. xviii. Never was there man that could … with a more unmanlike braverie use his tongue to her disgrace.
1619. A. Newman, Pleas. Vis. (1840), 2. He with vnmanlike Curiousnesse was dect.
1692. Washington, trans. Milton’s Def. Pop., vii. ’Tis most justly so ordered … that you your self should live in a scandalous most unmanlike slavery at home.
4. Unnaturally licentious or debasing.
1752. Fielding, Amelia, I. iv. Having got possession of a man who was committed for certain unmanlike practices, not fit to be named.
5. adv. In a manner unlike that of a man.
1611. Heywood, Gold. Age, I. i. Their God-like Issue thriue, Whilst I vn-man-like must destroy my babes.
1881. D. C. Murray, Joseph’s Coat, xxvii. [He] snuffled unmanlike through his tears.
