[UN-1 11. Cf. ON. úsœmiliga (Icel. ósæm-).] In an unseemly or unbecoming manner.
c. 1375. Cursor M., 24504 (Fairf.). On him mi heued I shoke & saide, vn-semeli, leue sone, artow graide!
a. 1400[?]. Morte Arth., 1044. The syghte had he rechide, How vn-semly that sott satt sowpande hym one.
c. 1449. Pecock, Repr., II. x. 207. Ellis it wolde folewe that ther yn thei diden vnaccordingli and vnsemeli.
1591. Drayton, Harmonie of Ch., Song of Annah, 8. Nor yet vnseemly speak such things, so proud and arrogant.
1610. Holland, Camden’s Brit., 297. English women … rode very unseemely astride, like as men doe.
a. 1641. Bp. Mountagu, Acts & Mon. (1642), 293. In which action hee … demeaned himself … unseemly for a King.
1725. Pope, Odyss., I. 292. Yon’ jovial Troop.. Unseemly flown with insolence and wine.
1871. B. Taylor, Faust (1875), I. xii. 143. Ah, thought I, in my conduct has he read it,—Something immodest or unseemly free?
