[UN-1 12.]
† 1. Want of savoriness; insipidity. Obs.
1398. Trevisa’s Barth. De P. R., XIX. lii. (1495), kk iiij. The nynthe sauour hyght werysshenesse & vnsauerynesse.
1548. Elyot, Insulsitas,… foolysshenesse, vnsauourynesse, lacke of grace.
1721. Bailey, Insipidity, Unsavouriness, Flatness.
2. The quality of being unsavory or disagreeable.
1557. in Hakluyt, Voy. (1598), I. 296. Any anoyance, stinke, or other vnsauorinesse … in the shippe.
1571. Golding, Calvin on Ps. xxxiii. 7. It is an unsaverines not worthy the disproving.
1617. Woodall, Surg. Mate (1639), 356. If any person, for the unsavourinesse of a medicine, will refuse helpe [etc.].
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., IV. x. 202. If we concede a nationall unsavourinesse in any people, yet shall we finde the Iewes lesse subject hereto then any.
1664. T. Gouge, Chr. Directions, xx. 173. The unsavouriness of thy words and speeches.
1727. A. Hamilton, New Acc. E. Ind., I. iii. 44. The Sea affords Variety of Fish, but not savoury. I believe their unsavouriness proceeds from the extreme Saltness of the Sea-water.
1765. Sterne, Tr. Shandy, VII. xxxii. In the little peevish contentions of nature betwixt hunger and unsavouriness.
1864. R. Kerr, Gentlem. House, 291. Flies … follow their noses, and their presence … is but an index of unsavouriness.
1884. Manch. Exam., 23 Sept., 5/2. Mudbanks … in their unsightliness and unsavouriness when exposed.
