a. [UN-1 7 b.]
1. Incapable of being stopped or ended.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Boeth., II. pr. vii. (1868), 58. By þe regard of eternite, þat is vnstauncheable [L. inexhausta] and infinit.
1430–40. Lydg., Bochas, VIII. xvii. (1558), 12. With heed enclyned no word he spake again, Fyll in wepinge, with subbyng vnstaunchable.
1571. Golding, Calvin on Ps. xxiii. 6. Gods goodnesse is unstaunchable.
1670. Swan, Spec. M., 440. The wounds of the Hæmorrhois procure unstanchable bleeding.
1837. Carlyle, Necklace, Misc. Ess. (1840), V. 104. He burst into unstanchable blubbering of tears.
1880. Swinburne, Stud. Shaks. (ed. 2), i. 51. That perpetual source of debate unstanchable and inexhaustible dispute.
2. Unquenchable, insatiable.
1426. Lydg., De Guil. Pilgr., 13053. Evere ther glotons appetyt Ys so ful off ffals delyt, So gredy and so vnstaunchable.
c. 1430. Pilgr. Lyf Manhode, III. xiv. (1869), 142. Vnstaunchable is my wille;… my affeccioun may haue no fulfillinge.
1440. J. Shirley, Dethe K. James (1818), 25. Consideryng his unstaunchable covetise.
1590. Serpent of Deris., A iij 6/2. His greedy unstancheable thirste of covetousnes.
1625. Jackson, Creed, V. xxxii. § 3. 307. The flames of … ill-kindled loue … hath caused his stonie heart to boyle over with vnstaunchable bloudie malice.
