† 1. Unsuccessful. Obs.–1
1617. Woodall, Surg. Mate, Pref. (1639), B 6 b. To keepe a Iournall in writing … as well of the unsuccessive applications, as of the successive.
2. Not exhibiting succession.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., 345. Although we be measured by the Zone of time,… yet can we not thus … summe up the unsuccessive and stable duration of God.
a. 1676. Hale, Prim. Orig. Man., I. iii. 90. Such parts of the visible Universe as are incorruptible, unalterable, and unsuccessive.
1737. A. Baxter, Enq. Nat. Human Soul, 375. If this necessary Being hath no change or succession in his nature, his existence must of course be unsuccessive.
1811. A. McLean, Comm. Heb., Wks. 1847, II. 281. He hath an unsuccessive priesthood, which passeth not from him to any other.
Hence Unsuccessively adv., † unsuccessfully.
1707. Lond. Gaz., No. 4333/4. The Union with Scotland,… so often … unsuccessively attempted,… is the Joy … of all Your … Subjects.
