ppl. a. Obs. [UN-1 10.] Unbecoming, unfitting, (Common c. 1390–1550.)
Freq. in later eds. misread or misprinted as unfitting: cf. the note to UNFITTING.
c. 1390. Chaucer, Troylus, II. 307. Were it þyng þat me þoughte vnsittynge To yow nold I no suche tales brynge.
1390. Gower, Conf., III. 143. It were an unsittende thing.
c. 1412. Hoccleve, De Reg. Princ., 2361. Þat vn-to hygh degre, Visittynge is to swere in any wise.
1456. T. Beckington, Corr. (Rolls), II. 144. The unsittyng, unleful, and unlawful quarell.
1533. More, Apol., xii. Wks. 872/1. The priestes agaynste laye people … haue vsed … to speake vnsyttyng woordes.
1567. Turberv., Epit., etc., 91. Vlysses wiues renowne Unsitting is for hir whose loue endureth but a stowne.
1585. Holinshed, Descr. Scotl., Ded. It is much vnsitting for him that professeth Diuinitie, to applie his time any otherwise.
Hence † Unsittingly adv. Obs.
c. 1412. Hoccleve, De Reg. Princ., 2349. As he þat custumably Clappith and ianglith … Moot othir while speke vnsittyngly. Ibid., 3639. Fresche apparaile and herte leccherous Unsittynly ben in a Prince ioynt.
1476. Paston Lett., III. 153. It was nott thowght … that I dalt onkyndly or onsyttyngly, but that I was moor onresonably dalte with.
