Unselfish

a. (UN-¹ 7. Cf. Da. uselvisk, Sw. osjälfvisk.)

1698.  J. Norris, Pract. Disc., IV. 289. That Noble and Generous, disinteressed and unselvish Kind of Love.

1714.  H. Grove, Spectator, No. 588, ¶ 2. Notwithstanding which, the Inclination is nevertheless unselfish.

1834.  T. Keble, in Tracts for Times, No. 43. 14. St. Paul, that most heroic, and (if there were such a word,) that most unselfish of men.

1851.  Longf., Gold. Leg., Epil. 10. Rise up … And scatter with unselfish hands Thy freshness on the barren sands.

1880.  McCarthy, Own Times, xl. III. 224. One of the most unselfish men that ever lived.

  Hence Unselfishly adv., Unselfishness.

1812.  Coleridge, Lit. Rem. (1836), I. 351. The unselfishness of self-love in the hopes and fears of religion.

1850.  Lynch, Theoph. Trinal, v. 77. A most womanly unselfishness.

1862.  Shirley (J. Skelton), Nugæ Crit., v. 218. A cause, whose success demanded perfect union and unselfishness. Ibid., x. 435. Steady, sagacious, moderate, never unselfishly imprudent.

1863.  ‘Ouida,’ Held in Bondage, I. 185. None will ever love you more unselfishly than I.