ppl. a. [UN-1 8.]
1. Not set on fire; unignited.
1590. Sir J. Smyth, Disc. Weapons, 18 b. With the powder next vnto the bullets vnfired.
1623. Massinger, Bondman, IV. ii. Marullo. We’ll right ourselves…. Gracculo. And not leave One house unfired.
1664. Evelyn, Sylva, 102. It is continually to be fed with short and fitting wood, that no part remains unfir’d.
1756. Demi-Rep, 14. Chaste as unfired coals they seem.
1781. Phil. Trans., LXXI. 248. No less than 40 large grains of unfired powder were driven through the screen.
1849. G. P. R. James, Woodman, ix. The abbey itself was still unfired.
fig. 1729. T. Cooke, Tales, etc., 24. The human Brute, who view’d her Charms unfir’d.
a. 1788. Earl Nugent, Ep. Visct. Cornbury, 154. Such gifts she to the happy few imparts,…To heads unfird by youth’s tumultuous rage.
2. Not subjected or exposed to fire.
1791. Cowper, Iliad, XXIII. 1092. Then, last, Achilles in the circus placed A pond’rous spear and cauldron yet unfired.
1888. Archaeol., LI. I. 52. These un-fired bricks lasted perfectly well.
3. Of a gun: Not discharged by firing.
1892. Greener, Breech-Loader, 200. If one barrel is fired repeatedly without discharging the other, it is advisable to take out the unfired cartridge occasionally.
1902. Daily Chron., 16 April, 7/6. The starboard gun remained unfired.
