1601. Shaks., Twel. N., III. iii. 11. Being skillesse in these parts: which to a stranger … often proue Rough, and vnhospitable.
1612. Webster, White Devil, V. iii. 45. They have … divorst friends, and made great houses unhospitable.
1687. Dryden, Hind & P., III. 612. No neighbouring Dorp, no lodging to be found, But bleaky plains, and bare uphospitable ground.
1703. Rowe, Ulysses, I. i. You … from th’unhospitable Dwelling drive Safety and friendly Peace.
1740. Cheyne, Regimen, 106. Our Earth has… unfruitful Climates, unhospitable and uninhabited Regions.
1808. Forsyth, Beauties Scotl., V. 472. A cluster of unhospitable rocks.
b. Of persons.
a. 1625. Fletcher, Fair Maid Inn, II. i. Serv. Shall we kill him? Alber. No, I’ll not be so unhospitable.
1641. J. Shute, Sarah & Hagar (1649), 116. James and John … call’d for fire from heaven upon those unhospitable Samaritans.
1708. Rowe, Royal Convert, VI. The Britons then shall join their Arms with yours, To drive out these unhospitable Guests.
1722. De Foe, Plague (1754), 163. They would be loth to have it remembered … how unhospitable, and how unkind they were.
1842. J. B. Fraser, Allee Neemroo, II. 289. The young man, unwilling to be rash or unhospitable.
1864. Trollope, Can you forgive her? xii. It cannot perhaps fairly be said that George Vavasor was an unhospitable man.
c. Of actions, character, etc.
1625. K. Long, trans. Barclay’s Argenis, IV. ii. 237. To renounce your hospitality, were superfluous, when you have done first, by offering vnhospitable iniury.
1682. Mrs. Behn, City Heiress, 50. What Recompence can I make for so unhospitable usage?
1727. Swift, State Irel., Wks. 1755, V. II. 168. I think it a little unhospitable … that … guests [etc.].
1750. G. Hughes, Barbados, 93. He lies concealed … till the next prey calls him forth to repeat his unhospitable talents.
1760. Ann. Reg., Chron., 66/1. The unhospitable custom of giving vails to servants.
Hence Unhospitableness.
1681. J. Kettlewell, Meas. Chr. Obed., II. iv. 165. The Law against uncharitableness…, against unhospitableness.
