adv. [UN-1 11.]
1. In a manner at variance with normal human nature; with unnatural depravity, wickedness, or want of feeling.
c. 1485. Digby Myst. (1882), IV. 537. Was his … gudnese owt of thy mynd So vn-naturallye?
1540. Act 32 Hen. VIII., c. 24 ¶ 1. Knights of Sainct Johnes … have unnaturally … maynteynid the usurped powre … of the Bishop of Rome.
1562. J. Heywood, Prov. & Epigr. (1867), 96. Alas mother what is the why, That ye draw from vs vnnaturally?
1610. Holland, Camden’s Brit., 465. The yong man … most unnaturally waged war against his owne father.
1634. Sir T. Herbert, Trav., 30. He … had most vnnaturally … caused his elder Brother … [to] be murdred.
1719. De Foe, Crusoe, II. (Globe), 361. They had acted … unnaturally by their Countrymen.
2. In a manner differing from what is natural or normal; abnormally.
1611. Florio, Distortione, a turning awry vnnaturally.
1614. Latham, Falconry, I. viii. 31. The fire … pierceth into the bodie, and heateth it most vnnaturallie.
1668. Dryden, Dram. Poesy, Ess. (ed. Ker), I. 95. Where you see both the clauses are placed unnaturally, that is, contrary to the common way of speaking.
1721. Southerne, Fate Capua, IV. i. It was a task unnaturally impos’d.
1848. W. H. Kelly, trans. L. Blanc’s Hist. Ten Y., II. 283. Words of malediction not unnaturally marked his parting adieus.
1878. Bristowe, Th. & Pract. Med. (ed. 2), 850. The former may attain the bulk of a bullock’s kidney, and the latter is usually unnaturally small.
