Unmatched

ppl. a. [UN-¹ 8.]

  1.  Not matched or equalled; matchless; unrivaled.

1581.  Sidney, Apol. Poetrie (Arb.), 26. Though we get not so vnmatched a praise as the Etimologie of his names wil grant.

1621.  G. Sandys, Ovid’s Met., VI. (1626), 109. Antigone, who stroue For vnmatcht beautie with the wife of Ioue.

1637.  J. Rutter, 1st Pt. Cid, V. iii. 27. It were better that his unmatch’d valour Should get him victory.

1678.  Dryden, All for Love, IV. i. Your unmatch’d desert.

1780.  Burke, Sp. Bristol, Wks. 1792, II. 313. Refusing to commit this act of unmatched turpitude.

1812.  Combe, Syntax, Picturesque, XXIV. 89. Shakespeare, immortal Bard sublime! Unmatch’d within the realms of time!

a. 1845.  Hood, Lamia, i. 40. Let such an unmatched vision still shine on.

1878.  Symonds, Sonn. M. Angelo, lix. Nay, nor the unmatched phœnix lives anew, Unless she burn.

  absol.  1632.  R. Allen, in Lithgow, Trav., B 3 b. This thy second Pilgrimage of Minde,… in Methode, Phrase, and Stile, May match the most vnmatched in this Ile.

  b.  Const. by; at, for, in, or of.

1592.  Daniel, Compl. Rosamond, xxiv. Vnmatch’d by sword, [he] was vanquisht by a glaunce.

1602.  Warner, Alb. Eng., XII. lxxiii. 304. Fertile grounds, vnmatch’t for fruits.

1700.  Rowe, Amb. Step-Moth., II. ii. Long time unmatcht in War the Hero shone.

1789.  Burns, Whistle, iv. Unmatch’d at the bottle, unconquer’d in war.

1810.  Scott, Lady of L., I. vii. Two dogs … Unmatch’d for courage.

1870.  Morris, Earthly Par., I. II. 629. This is the man, unmatched of heart and limb.

  2.  Not provided with something equal or alike.

1645.  Milton, Tetrach., 19. When love findes it self utterly unmatcht, and justly vanishes.

1824.  Galt, Rothelan, III. 132. It was a mean abode, and furnished, uncouthly, with old-fashioned unmatched chairs, [etc.].

  Hence Unmatchedness.

c. 1611.  Chapman, Iliad, Pref. A 3 b. His cleare vnmatchednesse in all manner of learning.