Obs. [OE. unsófte (f. un- UN-1 11 b + sófte SOFT adv.), = WFris. on-, ûnseaft, -sêft, -sacht, MDu. onsacht(e, -socht(e, etc. (Du. onzacht), MLG. unsachte, OHG. unsamfto (MHG. unsanfte, G. unsanft).] Not softly; severely.
a. 900. Guthlac, 858 (Gr.). Hu he monʓe … ʓehælde … þe hine unsofte adle ʓebundne … ʓesohtun.
c. 1000. Sax. Leechd., II. 260. Hwær mon unsofte ʓetilað on forewearde þa adle.
a. 1400[?]. Lydg., Chorle & Birde (Roxb.), 10. And who desireth to clymbe hygh a lofte Be sodeyn turne falleth ofte unsofte. Ibid. (1430–40), Bochas, VI. (1494), t ii b/1. Another honde griped full vnsofte Which cast another in greate aduersite.
1509. Hawes, Past. Pleas., XXXII. (Percy Soc.), 159. In holly bushes they did hange aloft, Theyr hedes downeward for to fall unsofte.
1579. Spenser, Sheph. Cal., July, 12. This reede is ryfe, that oftentime Great clymbers fall vnsoft.
