† 1. Irreverent. Obs. (Common c. 1580–1660.)
1562. in Strype, Ann. Ref., xxviii. (1709), 295. All unreverend speaking of God’s holy predestination.
1584. R. Dudley, Lett., 161. Inveying against their souerain with … vnreuerend tearmes, and insolent controlmentes.
1591. Shaks., Two Gent., II. vi. 14. Fie, fie, vnreuerend tongue, to call her bad.
1613. Dekker, Four Birdes Noah’s Arke, Wks. (Grosart), V. 20. Cleanse my heart … from all foule, loose and vnreuerend languages.
1659. W. Chamberlayne, Pharon., IV. i. 257. That it might unreverend gazers tell It once was sacred.
1820. Lamb, Elia, I. Oxford in Vac. They rather hold such curiosities to be impertinent—unreverend.
2. Unworthy of reverence.
[1828–32. Webster.]
1874. J. Thomson, City Dreadf. Nt., XVIII. iv. Long grey unreverend locks befouled with mire.
1876. Geo. Eliot, Dan. Der., lxii. The presence of this unreverend father … affected Mirah with … shame and grief.
Hence † Unreverendly adv., irreverently. Obs.
1603. Knolles, Hist. Turks (1621), 352. Thou hast vnreuerendly spoken.
1663. Boyle, Usef. Exp. Nat. Philos., II. iv. 118. He … was wont … (unreverendly enough) to compare our Physitians to Bishops.
1673. S’too him Bayes, 24. Whose person you shall not find me speak so unreverendly of.
