a. [UN-1 7. Cf. Du. onvaderlijk, MHG. and G. unväterlich, Da. ufaderlig, MSw. ofaderelik; also OE. unfæderlíce adv.] Unbefitting a father.

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1621.  J. Taylor (Water P.), Unnatural Father, Wks. (1630), 138/1. So hee performed his last vnfatherly deed vpon her.

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1621.  Lady M. Wroth, Urania, 209. To trie, if by his vnfatherly tortures, shee may bee wrought to leaue louing you.

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1784.  Cowper, Tiroc., 866. Nature, pulling at thine heart, Condemns th’ unfatherly, th’ imprudent part.

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  Hence Unfatherliness.

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1850.  L. Hunt, Autobiog., xxv. III. 285. No hell. No unfatherliness. No monstrous exactions of assent to the incredible.

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1873.  Birmingham Daily Mail, 29 Aug., 4/1. She did not intend to invite that torrent of foul unfatherliness again.

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