a. [UN-1 7 and 5 b.] Not attended by, not meeting or attaining, success. a. Of actions, endeavors, etc.
1617. Moryson, Itin., II. 48. Griefe of vnsuccessefull loue.
1651. Baxter, Infant Baptism, 161. They are cited by Conradus Bergius in his most excellent Pacificatory (though hitherto much unsuccessfull) Treatise.
1685. Dryden, Sylvæ, Pref. ¶ 6. These … deserve the pains I have taken with them, which I hope have not been unsuccessful, or unworthy of my author.
1744. Berkeley, Siris, § 6. Which trials I never knew unsuccessful.
1809. Coleridge, Friend, 37. An unsuccessful attempt to deceive him.
1837. Lockhart, Scott, II. xii. 407. Mr. Southey’s application was unsuccessful.
1863. W. C. Baldwin, Afr. Hunting, vii. 300. I have shot nothing; two hard unsuccessful days.
b. Of persons.
1659. W. Chamberlayne, Pharon., II. i. 309. The unsuccessful rebel thus secured By speedy flight.
1714. Addison, Spect., No. 592, ¶ 1. Which, as I am informed, are the Plays of many unsuccessful Poets artificially cut and shreaded for that Use.
1790. Beatson, Nav. & Mil. Mem., I. 100. To be unsuccessful or unfortunate, is generally to be criminal in the opinion of mankind.
1828. Lytton, Pelham, II. x. My unsuccessful opponent … preferred a petition against me, for what he called undue means.
1890. ‘R. Boldrewood,’ Col. Reformer (1891), 152. If a man doesn’t make money … he is regarded only as an unpractical, unsuccessful enthusiast.
absol. 1750. Johnson, Rambler, No. 87, ¶ 9. The unsuccessful vent their discontent upon those that excel them.
1898. ‘H. S. Merriman,’ Roden’s Corner, iv. So many sail to those distant havens of the unsuccessful.
