adv. [f. prec. + -LY2.]
1. Contrary to one’s will; against one’s wish or desire; reluctantly.
In frequent use from c. 1550.
a. 1533. Frith, Disput. Purgat., Wks. (1572), 19/2. If thou do it for feare or vnwillyngly.
a. 1568. Ascham, Scholem., I. (Arb.), 43. What soeuer the mynde doth learne vnwillinglie with feare.
1647. Clarendon, Hist. Reb., I. (1702), I. 5. The late abuse having … driven his Majesty unwillingly out of that course.
1667. Lilly, Hist. Life & Times (1715), 88. A new Parliament was called, whereunto I was unwillingly invited by two Messengers.
a. 1715. Burnet, Own Time (1897), I. ii. 42. They very unwillingly hearkened to that proposition.
1797. S. & Ht. Lee, Canterb. T. (1799), I. 141. Not unwillingly, [he] resigned his place to some ladies.
1818. Scott, Br. Lamm., ix. His was a mind unwillingly roused from contemplative inactivity.
1848. Dickens, Dombey, ii. [He] departed by no means unwillingly.
1883. Miss Broughton, Belinda, III. ix. She has withdrawn her unwillingly-captured hand.
transf. a. 1713. in Lady M. W. Montagu, Lett. (1887), I. 83. In this cold climate where the sun appears Unwillingly.
b. In loose construction.
a. 1586. Sidney, Apol. Poetrie (Arb.), 51. Though a man should graunt their first assumption, it should followe (me thinkes) very unwillingly, that good is not good, because better is better.
1665. J. Webb, Stone-Heng (1725), 140. The Design of which … follows, the narrowness of the Plate unwillingly depriving you of two of the Entrances at the Trench.
1671. Milton, Samson, 14. This day a solemn Feast the people hold,… unwillingly this rest Thir Superstition yields me.
† 2. Involuntarily; unintentionally. Obs.
1594. Shaks., Rich. III., II. i. 55. If I vnwillingly, or in my rage, Haue ought committed that is hardly borne.
1644. Nye, Gunnery (1670), 2. A Monk did unwillingly let fall a spark of fire upon Brimstone and Saltpeter.
1660. Coke, Power & Subj., 152. If a man slea another not lurking…, or unwillingly, or of necessity.
