a. [UN-1 7.]
1. Of conduct, actions, etc.: Characterized by lack of ceremony or formality.
1598. Chapman, Contn. Marlowe’s Hero & Leander, III. 156. She vanisht, leauing pierst Leanders hart With sence of his vnceremonious part.
1727. Blackwall, Sacr. Class. (ed. 2), I. 206. In the more plain and unceremonious times it [woman] was a title apply’d to ladies of the greatest quality and merit.
1779. J. Moore, View Soc. France, II. lxxxv. 332. The unceremonious and easy manner, in which this great prince lives with his subjects.
1825. Scott, Talism., viii. Expressing strongly the displeasure he felt at this unceremonious rebuke.
1891. Farrar, Darkn. & Dawn, xxxix. Now the people laughed at the unceremonious way in which he shook one of them.
2. Of persons, etc.: Acting without ceremony.
1831. Scott, Ct. Rob., xiii. If it happens that they actually need gold, they are sufficiently unceremonious in taking it.
1832. Lytton, Eugene A., I. v. Forgive me if I seem unceremonious—adieu.
Hence Unceremoniously adv., -moniousness.
1755. Johnson, Familiarly, *unceremoniously; with freedom like that of long acquaintance.
1796. Mme. D’Arblay, Camilla, VI. xv. Resentful of the liberty he had so unceremoniously taken.
1825. Scott, Betrothed, xvii. The message of the Archbishop, so unceremoniously delivered.
1878. Church, Bacon, ix. (1884), 215. Setting down unceremoniously … the real rules which he had felt to be true.
1815. Jane Austen, Emma, xii. All the *unceremoniousness of perfect amity.
1866. Geo. Eliot, F. Holt, v. ‘Well, they’re right enough there,’ said Felix, with his usual unceremoniousness.
