1. Marked by unrest, disturbance, or disorder.
1523. [Coverdale], Old God & New (1534), A j. In this so vnquiet & troblous estate of comen weales.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. IV., 32 b. The end of the vnquiet tyme of kyng Henry the fourth.
1634. Sir T. Herbert, Trav., 68. Their vnquiet Country,… lying twixt two great Kings, is a prey many times to the Turke or Persian.
1674. Essex Papers (Camden), I. 191. I have … written at large … concerning ye unquiet motions which have of late bin in this Citty.
1743. Johnson’s Debates (1787), II. 340. Measures which could produce no other effect than that of making their reign unquiet.
1796. Mrs. M. Robinson, Angelina, III. 36. That I should not fear to sleep alone in the very apartments which were supposed to be unquiet.
1826. Miss Mitford, Village, Ser. II. 126. Some relics of those picturesque but unquiet days.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., ii. I. 253. Temple himself, as was his wont in unquiet times, retired to his garden.
2. Not disposed to be quiet or inactive; restless, active, stirring (esp. so as to cause trouble).
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 2 b. This worlde … is and euer shall be vnquiet.
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 442. Vnquiet and troublesome persons.
a. 1648. Ld. Herbert, Hen. VIII. (1683), 327. The more unquiet sort being … worn out and spent, the rest … came to a composition with the Emperor.
1697. Walsh, Dryden’s Virg. Past., Pref. ¶ 1. We … can scarcely pass … a whole Day not ruffled by some unquiet Passion.
1701. Swift, Contests Nobles & Comm., iv. Those hot, unquiet spirits, who disturb assemblies. Ibid. (1719), Abstr. Hist. Eng., Wks. 1841, I. 545. Those perpetual troubles and vexations given to his kingdom by that unquiet people.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., vii. II. 253. The daring, unquiet, and vindictive seaman now sate in the councils.
1871. Smiles, Charac., vii. 202. France has been the unquiet spirit among the nations of Europe.
b. In a state of physical unrest or commotion. Also in fig. context.
1535. Coverdale, 2 Esdras xvi. 12. Ye see aryseth up…, and the floudes of it are vnquyete.
1627. J. Taylor (Water P.), Navy of Land Ships, Wks. (1630), 87/1. The tossing of the billow, and vnquiet surges of the sea.
1644. Milton, Educ., 2. To be tost and turmoild … in fadomles and unquiet deeps of controversie.
1707. Mortimer, Husb., 598. In case the Liquor [sc. cider in a cask] be unquiet.
1793. Smeaton, Edystone L., § 293. They found the sea so unquiet about the rocks, that [etc.].
1853. Kane, Grinnell Exp., xlix. (1856), 466. On every side … are the unquiet grinding floes.
1863. Conington, Hor., Odes, IV. xii. 1. The gales of Thrace, that hush the unquiet Sea.
c. Not still or silent.
1655. Stanley, Hist. Philos., III. 45. I sent away the women lest they should be so unquiet.
3. Uneasy, perturbed, anxious: a. Of persons, the mind, look, etc.
1535. Coverdale, Ps. xli. 5. O my soule,… why art thou so vnquiete within me?
1582. N. Lichefield, trans. Castanheda’s Conq. E. Ind., I. ix. 25. Being unquiet and greatly greeued at their falshood.
a. 1628. Sir J. Beaumont, Bosw. Field, etc. (1629), 71. Whose counsels make men draw vnquiet breath.
c. 1698. Locke, Cond. Underst., § 6 (1754), 28. The mind … hastens to some hypothesis to bottom it on; till then it is unquiet and unsettled.
1719. De Foe, Crusoe, I. (Globe), 187. I slept unquiet.
1740. Richardson, Pamela, II. 185. As the Hours grew on … my silly Heart was the unquieter.
1760–72. H. Brooke, Fool of Qual., II. 73. A countenance visibly unquiet and confused.
1831. G. P. R. James, Phil. Augustus, I. viii. Walking up and down the hall, with an unquiet and somewhat irritated air.
1871. Palgrave, Lyr. Poems, 98. On the eve of the marriage morrow The bride is unquiet by night.
b. Of states or conditions.
1576. Fleming, Panopl. Epist., 199. The vnquiet estate of a tyrant.
1613. Purchas, Pilgrimage (1614), 610. Guagida betwixt two stooles had vnquiet sitting, paying tribute [etc.].
1665. Boyle, Occas. Refl., V. viii. The unquiet Pleasure that the sight of the Stars gives to this Child.
1679. Establ. Test, 18. That insecurity … makes … their dayes unquiet.
1772. W. Buchan, Dom. Med., 574. His sleep is unquiet with frightful dreams.
1802. Wordsw., Excurs., I. 873. Nine long years, She lingered in unquiet widowhood.
1844. Lytton, in Life & Lett. (1883), I, 115. I cried myself into an unquiet doze.
