a. and sb. [UN-1 7 b, 12, and 5 b.]

1

  1.  That cannot be searched into, so as to be ascertained or exactly estimated; inscrutable.

2

1382.  Wyclif, Rom. xi. 33. Hou incomprehensyble ben his domes, and his weyis vnserchable.

3

c. 1400.  Found. St. Bartholomew’s, 43. God, that makith grete and vnsercheable thyngis with-owte numbre.

4

1549.  Latimer, 3rd Serm. bef. Edw. VI. (Arb.), 100. Mans hart is vnserchable.

5

1584.  B. R., trans. Herodotus, II. 77. They fell … to discourse … of Nilus, the head whereof was vnsearchable, and not to be knowne.

6

1622.  Peacham, Compl. Gent., viii. 69. To consider how Nature … by an vnsearchable and stupendious worke, sheweth vs [etc.].

7

1667.  Milton, P. L., VIII. 10. To relate Things else by me unsearchable, now heard With wonder.

8

1703.  Rowe, Ulysses, IV. i. ’Tis all the mighty working of the gods, Unsearchable and dark to human Eyes.

9

1759.  Johnson, Rasselas, xi. The unsearchable will of the Supreme Being.

10

1809–14.  Wordsw., Excurs., III. 112. Lost in unsearchable eternity.

11

1835.  Thirlwall, Greece, I. vi. 193. As his might is irresistible, so is his wisdom unsearchable.

12

1876.  R. Bridges, Sonn., viii. The unsearchable and secret aims Of nature.

13

  b.  sb. An unsearchable thing.

14

1725.  Watts, Logick, I. vi. § 1. It is a vast Hindrance … if we spend too much of our Time and Pains among Infinites and Unsearchables. Ibid. (1741), Improv. Mind, I. xviii. To busy yourselves … amongst unsearchables.

15

  2.  That cannot be sought for.

16

1878.  B. Taylor, Pr. Deukalion, III. v. 128. A something lost, Because vnsought, perchance unsearchable, Assails my sight.

17

  Hence Unsearchableness, -ably adv.

18

1611.  Florio, Inscrutabilita, *vnsearchableness.

19

a. 1653.  Binning, Serm. (1845), 38. God’s unsearchableness, God’s unchangeableness.

20

1683.  Burnet, trans. More’s Utopia, 197. Unless, according to the unsearchableness of his Mind, he is pleased with a variety of Religions.

21

1856.  Ruskin, Mod. Painters, IV. V. v. § 21. In an Italian twilight … there is still unsearchableness, but an unsearchableness without cloud or concealment.

22

1873.  Symonds, Grk. Poets, ix. 290. The unsearchableness of God’s dealings.

23

1706.  Stevens, Span. Dict., I. Inscrutablemente, inscrutably, *unsearchably.

24

1746.  Hervey, Refl. Flower Garden, 21. The various Expedients which Providence, unsearchably wise, uses.

25

1847.  De Quincey, Sp. Mil. Nun, Wks. 1862, III. 98. A female … who … perished by a fate so unsearchably mysterious.

26