1. Irreverent: a. Of actions, conduct, etc.
In frequent use from c. 1550 to c. 1640.
1388. Wyclif, Ecclus. xxiii. 17. Thi mouth be not customable to vnreuerent speche.
1532. More, Confut. Tindale, Wks. 622/1. Such euyl fashion of vnreuerent railing vpon great personages.
1583. Babington, Commandm. (1590), 220. If we be parentes, and greeued with vnreuerent regarde in our children of vs.
1608. Willet, Hexapla Exod., 62. The Corinthians were chastised … for vnreuerent receiuing of the Lords supper.
a. 1661. Fuller, Worthies, Yorks., III. (1662), 206. Greatly guilty in his ill language, which to any Author was uncivil, to a Bishop unreverent.
1858. H. Bushnell, Nat. & Supernat., x. (1864), 313. That unreverent feeble laxity, that lets the errors be as good as the truths.
b. Of persons.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 85 b. Se thou be not vnreuerent or stately of behauour to thy company.
1552. in Vicary’s Anat. (1888), App. xvi. 313. A swearer, or an vnreuerent vser of his mouth.
1612. T. Taylor, Comm. Titus ii. 12. They durst not shewe themselues … so vnreuerent and retchles in hearing, as most men doe.
1675. Baxter, Cath. Theol., I. I. 9. We must be very fearful and not unreverent and rash, in ascribing such a … lusus of notions to God.
transf. c. 1590. Sir T. More, II. iv. 134. Your vnreuerent knees, Make them your feet to kneele to be forgyuen!
1593. Shaks., Rich. II., II. i. 123. Wert thou not Brother to great Edwards sonne, This tongue … Should run thy head from thy vnreuerent shoulders.
† 2. = UNREVEREND a. 2. Obs.–1
1576. Lambarde, Peramb. Kent, 256. Erasmus opinion and iudgment touching such vnreuerent Reliques.
1659. W. Chamberlayne, Pharon., II. iv. 356. Their rage Neglected youth slights like unreverent age.
Hence † Unreverentness, irreverence. Obs.
1579. Northbrooke, Dicing, 32. [They] that do vse and handle vpon scaffolds Gods diuine mysteries with such vnreuerentnes.
1636. Henshaw, Horæ Succ., 294. That unreverentnesse … which they durst not use to this or that Mr Gentleman, they use to God.
