† 1. Inattentive, heedless. Obs.
1594. Daniel, Cleopatra, III. i. When dissolute impiety possest Th’ vnrespectiue mindes of such a people.
1594. Shaks., Rich. III., IV. ii. 29. I will conuerse with … vnrespectiue Boyes: none are for me, That looke into me with considerate eyes.
1633. Bp. Hall, Hard Texts, O. T., 239. A true hearted loving neighbour is better than an overlie and unrespective brother.
[1822. Scott, Nigel, Introd. Ep. Bargaining for the objects of my curiosity with an unrespective shop-lad.]
2. Making no distinction; undiscriminating.
1606. Shaks., Tr. & Cr., II. ii. 71. Nor the remainder Viands We do not throw in vnrespectiue siue.
1648. Bp. Hall, Select Th., xxxiv. 102. To cast the envy of their condemnation meerly upon the absolute will of an unrespective power.
a. 1656. Hales, Gold. Rem., III. (1673), 53. These general and unrespective judgments of God, by famine, or sword, or the like.
1850. S. Dobell, Roman, i. She was not born To … bear Rude licence of the unrespective waves.
1866. J. B. Rose, trans. Virg. Ecl. & Georg., 107. But onward, onward,… Doth unrespective Time … in silence move.
† 3. Disrespectful, rude. Obs.
1611. Cotgr., Irrespectueux, vnrespectiue, inofficious, rude.
a. 1624. Bp. M. Smith, Serm. (1632), 23. Nothing [is] more vncertain then the minds of the multitude…: humorous, clamorous, vnrespective.
a. 1643. J. Shute, Judgem. & Mercy (1645), 197. So in David towards Saul;… not one unrespective word comes from him.
† 4. Not deserving of respect. Obs.–1
1626. Donne, Serm., 825. Which to lesse reverend and unrespective Persons we should be lesse willing to do.
Hence Unrespectively adv., -ness.
1611. Speed, Hist. Gt. Brit., IX. xxiii. § 112. This great victory made the English … carelesse,… and the Forts thereabout were *vnrespectiuelie regarded.
1633. Bp. Hall, Hard Texts, N. T., 152. Were he so … I would haue forborne to speake unreverently and unrespectively to him.
1656. Trapp, Comm. Heb. vii. 23. All our learning also is soon refuted with one black Theta, which … snappeth us unrespectively without distinction.
1611. Cotgr., Inofficiosité, vnofficiousnesse, *vnrespectiuenesse, or want of due respect.
a. 1628. F. Grevil, Sidney, vi. (1652), 75. Finding unrespectiveness in himself … not respected by this Princely Spirit.
