adv. [UN-1 11. Cf. prec.] Without success.
1649. J. H., Motion to Parl. Adv. Learn., 35. Propensions … which if disobeyed succeeded untowardly and unsuccessfully.
1664. Dryden, Rival Ladies, Ep. Ded. ¶ 2. Fortune…, with which wisdom does often unsuccessfully struggle in the world.
a. 1674. Milton, Free Commw., Wks. 1851, V. 425. Nor was the heroic Cause unsuccessfully defended to all Christendom, against the Tongue of a famous and thought invincible Adversary.
a. 1721. Sheffield (Dk. Buckhm.), Wks. (1753), II. 177. Several letters shew his punctual performance of it, tho’ unsuccessfully.
1819. Scott, Ivanhoe, xxv. Has your suit, then, been unsuccessfully paid to the Saxon heiress?
1873. Proctor, Expanse Heav., 287. Our short-lived race … has … not unsuccessfully carried out the daring scheme [etc.].
