adv. [UN-1 11; cf. prec.]
† 1. Not dexterously or cleverly; unskillfully. Obs.
1545. Ascham, Toxoph., I. (Arb.), 89. And so the more stronge man not vsed to shote, shooles moost vnhansumlye.
1611. Cotgr., Faire le mibaudichon, to doe a thing foolishly, or ill-fauouredly; vnhandsomely to goe about it.
1638. Junius, Paint. Ancients, 100. The boy … did delight … to make oxen, horses, and men likewise, and … did it not unhandsomly.
2. Ungracefully, inelegantly.
1565. Cooper, s.v. Incompositus, The verses runne vnhandsomely.
a. 1586. Sidney, Arcadia, I. xvii. About his middle he had … a long cloake of silke, which as unhandsomely, as it needes must, became the wearer.
1632. Massinger & Field, Fatal Dowry, IV. i. What fouler object in the world than to see a young, fair, handsome beauty unhandsomely dighted?
1670. Owen, Disc., vi. (1760), 82. A Man may have a Garment that may fit very ill, very unhandsomely, about him.
1705. Collier, Ess. Mor. Subj., III. Pain, 13. The Roman Gladiators … chose rather to receive a Cut than avoid it unhandsomely.
3. Unfitly; inappropriately, awkwardly. Obs.
1548. Elyot, Incommodé,… vngaynely,… vnh somely, vneasyly.
1573. Baret, Alv., I 96. Verie Incommodiouslie, verie vnhandsomelie.
1649. Jer. Taylor, Apol. Liturgy, § 92. This was not unhandsomely intimated by the word sometimes used by … the Greek church.
1651. C. Cartwright, Cert. Relig., I. 290. These things do but very unhandsomely hang together.
1680. H. More, Apocal. Apoc., 192. Lacqueyes … in querpo, which sutes not unhandsomly with the word σώματα, bodies.
4. Unfittingly, unbecomingly; illiberally, meanly.
1650. R. Stapylton, Strada’s Low C. Wars, IV. 79. His Majesty … thought it best to do that, while his authoritie was intire, which perhaps necessity might unhandsomely inforce him to.
1668. Dryden, Tyrannic Love, IV. i. He raves, sir, and, to cover my disdain, Unhandsomely would his denial feign.
1700. in Pennsylv. Hist. Soc. Mem., IX. 4. A bill … opposed and voted out—I think, very unhandsomely.
1709. Strype, Ann. Ref., iv. 82. Dering … had charged him with neglect of religion, and unhandsomely and untruly told him [etc.].
1839. Hallam, Hist. Lit., III. ii. § 61. This story Franklin, rather unhandsomely, appropriated to himself.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xvii. IV. 55. He had poor relations; and the government … had most unhandsomely left them to his care.
b. Discourteously, rudely; without due respect or consideration.
1662. Pepys, Diary, 5 Nov. My Lady Batten … complained … of my wife’s speaking unhandsomely of her.
1707. Norris, Treat. Humility, vi. 250. To know when he is handsomely or unhandsomely treated.
1759. Sterne, Tr. Shandy, I. xii. Bruised and mis-shapened with the blows which … some others have so unhandsomely given me in the dark.
a. 1781. R. Watson, Philip II., III. (1793), I. 378. They complained that their masters were rather used unhandsomely.
1817. Kirby & Sp., Entomol., xix. II. 170. They seize her, keep her in confinement, and treat her very unhandsomely.
