adv. [UN-1 11.] Without necessity; needlessly.
1594. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., II. iv. § 2. I hope wee shall not seeme altogether vnnecessarily to doubt of the soundnesse of their opinion.
1610. Shaks., Temp., II. i. 260. There be … Lords, that can prate As amply, and vnnecessarily As this Gonzallo.
1691. T. H[ale], Acc. New Invent., 94. Excess of thickness is not only unnecessarily paid for, but it makes the Sheet worse.
1712. Spect., No. 283, ¶ 6. Sums which they have spent unnecessarily.
1786. Cowper, Lett., Wks. 1837, XV. 184. Again I remind you, though perhaps unnecessarily, of the two volumes.
1833. T. Hook, Parson’s Dau., I. viii. You … unnecessarily agitate yourself.
1879. Cassell’s Techn. Educ., I. 312/2. Such furniture is unnecessarily heavy and clumsy.
