a. Obs. [OE. unmilde (UN-1 7.), = MDu. onmilde (obs. Du. onmild), OHG. unmilti (MHG. unmilte, unmilde, G. unmild), ON. úmild-r (MSw. omilder, Sw. omild, MDa., Da., and Norw. umild), Goth. unmild-s unkind.]
1. Not mild or gentle; harsh, rough, unkind.
c. 900. trans. Bæda’s Hist., II. i. (1890), 100. ʓif he þonne is unmilde & oferhyʓdiʓ, þonne is þæt cuð þæet he nis of Gode.
c. 1200. Ormin, 9880. Hæþenn lif & hæþenn follkess herrte Iss harrd & starrc all allse stan, Unnmeoc & all unnmilde.
a. 1250. Owl & Night., 61. Ich wot þat þu art unmilde Wiþ hom þat ne muȝe from þe schilde.
a. 1290. Beket, 1460, in S. Eng. Leg., I. 148. Ovt of Engelonde he let heom driue:… muche was he on-milde!
a. 1340. Hampole, Psalter, cxlvi. 6. Synful men þat ere sharpe and vnmyld and contrary.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XII. x. (Bodl. MS.). Þe crowe … is a iangelingge brid vnmylde [L. impia], and greuous to men.
1412–20. Lydg., Chron. Troy, I. 281. Bolys ful vnmylde, with brasen feet, ramegous and wylde.
1482. Monk of Evesham, I. (Arb.), 100. Sche was only to her cosynis ryghte gastful and on mylde.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 113 b. Eschewe the occasyons of testynes or hastynes, and other vnmylde behauour.
1558. Phaër, Aneid, IV. K iij. Some Tigres thee did nurse, and gaue to thee their milke unmild.
1611. Florio, Immite, vnmilde, cruel.
2. Harsh of taste.
1566. Drant, Horace, Sat., III. G j. Eatinge most bitter rootes and leaves, unmilde unto the taste.
Hence † Unmildness. Obs.
1570. Drant, Two Serm., I viij. Mildnes to some is oft tymes vnmildnes and crueltie to many other.
1611. Florio, Immitezza, vnmildenesse, cruelty.
1644. Milton, Divorce (ed. 2), II. vii. 46. The unmildnesse of Evangelick grace shall turn servant to declare the grace and mildnesse of the rigorous Law.
