Unthrift

sb. (and a.). [UN-¹ 4 a, 12. Cf. WANTHRIFT.]

  † 1.  A malpractice; a defect or fault in conduct.

1303.  R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 12339. Þer ys an vnþryfte Þat doþ moche skaþe vnshryfte.

c. 1430.  Pilgr. Lyf Manhode, II. cxxii. (1869), 121. Þis mantelle … was maad for to … mantelle with my defautes, and consele myne vnthriftes.

  2.  Want of thrift or economy; neglect of thriving or doing well; † dissolute conduct, loose behavior, impropriety.

13[?].  E. E. Allit. P., B. 516. Hit is sothe, þat alle mannez wyttez To vn-þryfte arn alle þrawen with þoȝt of her herttez.

c. 1374.  Chaucer, Troylus, IV. 431. To don his wo to falle, He rought nought what vnthrift þat he seyde.

c. 1400.  Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton, 1483), III. viii. 55. These ben the children of tristesse,… ful of ydelnes and al maner vnthrifte.

a. 1475.  G. Ashby, Dicta Philos., 469. That the myddyl of your liffe be not spent In ydelnesse, ne in vnthrifte myswent.

1483.  Cath. Angl., 385/2. Wn Thryfte, denigencia.

1721.  Kelly, Sc. Proverbs, 250. Many one blames their Wife, for their own unthrift.

1830.  Carlyle, Misc. (1840), II. 320. The Hof public openly finding her guilty of Unthrift.

1860.  All Year Round, No. 53. 62. No idleness was allowed in her house; no unthrift, no useless dawdlings.

1887.  American, XIV. 23. Both fell an easy prey to every adverse circumstance which poverty and unthrift can offer.

  3.  An unthrifty († unthriving), shiftless, or dissolute person; a spendthrift, prodigal.

  Freq. c. 1520–1690. Occas. to play the unthrift.

c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 7231. Go we now, & sle þat vnþrift.

c. 1375.  Sc. Leg. Saints, xl. (Ninian), 661. Þai … tretyt weile þat vnthrifte, til eld had it brocht fra schrifte.

1491.  Caxton, Vitas Patr. (W. de W., 1495), I. cxl. 152 b/2. At theyr metynge togyder this Unthryft gaaf hym a buffeth.

1509.  Barclay, Shyp of Folys, 142 b. A folysshe man rurall If he a churle, a fole and vnthrift be, The more he loketh to come to hye degree.

1556.  Chron. Grey Friars (Camden), 73. Vacobondes that wold not labor, but play the unthryftes.

a. 1602.  W. Perkins, Cases Consc. (1619), 74. The young vnthrift in the Gospell, called the Prodigall child.

1639.  Fuller, Holy War, 124. If he played the unthrift with this golden occasion.

1693.  Dryden, Persius, iv. 237. Shall I … My Friends disgrace, And be the first lewd Unthrift of my Race?

1765.  Blackstone, Comm., I. 295. When a man on an inquest of idiocy hath been returned an unthrift and not an idiot, no farther proceedings have been had.

1821.  Scott, Kenilw., xxxi. The Earl of Oxford, a young unthrift, whom Foster had more than once accommodated with loans.

1862.  Sir H. Cairns, in Times, 2 Jan. The Roman law made no distinction between unthrifts and idiots.

  fig.  1571.  E. Wollay, Pl. Pathway, 14. Wee know what thanckes wee owe to God for all his giftes; Yet contrary we showe to him ourselves unthriftes.

1654.  Gataker, Disc. Apol., 18. As we count him a bad Husband, that foloweth game on the Market-day, so may we as wel count him a spiritual unthrift, that spends the Sabbath in that sort.

  † b.  One who is prodigal of something. Obs.

1640.  Quarles, Enchyrid., I. xciii. Fury … being an unthrift of its owne strength.

a. 1659.  in Bann. Club Misc. (1827), 324. I do confess thou ’rt sweet, yet find Thee such an unthrift of thy sweets.

1656.  Spurstow, Spir. Chym., lix. 175. The most of men are such unthrifts of time.

  4.  attrib. or as adj. Prodigal, spendthrift.

a. 1562.  G. Cavendish, Wolsey (1893), 45. Thow hast allwayes byn a prowd, presumpcious, disdaynfull, and a very onthryft waster.

1592.  Nashe, P. Penilesse, A ij b. Sir Rowland Russet-coat … hath much adoo … to keepe his vnthrift elbowes in reparations.

1596.  Shaks., Merch. V., V. i. 16. In such a night Did Iessica steale from the wealthy Iewe, And with an Vnthrift Loue did runne from Venice.

1650.  Vaughan, Silex Scint., Regeneration, vi. The unthrift Sunne shot vitall gold A thousand peeces.

1865.  Miss Cary, Ballads, etc. 66. When I met a man, unthrift and lorn.

1869.  Lowell, Cathedral, 142. This unthrift housekeeping that will not brook A dish warmed-over at the feast of life.

  Hence Unthrift-like a. or adv.

1603.  Heywood, Wom. Killed w. Kindn. (1617), D 4 b. Now Nichlas you want money; And vnthrift-like would eate into your wages.