In earlier use somewhat rare. Freq. from c. 1880. The absence of evidence from 16th to 19th c. is remarkable.
1382. Wyclif, Ecclus. xxxvi. 16. Fulfil Syon with thin vntellable vertues, and thi puple with thi glorie.
c. 1410. Lanterne of Liȝt, 136. Feer intollerable, drede vntellable.
c. 1425. St. Eliz. of Spalbeck, in Anglia, VIII. 113. With sobbynges & weymentynges vntelabil.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 367/2. Ontelleable, inenarrabilis.
1513. Douglas, Æneid, I. xii. 6. Thi desyir, lady, is Renewing of ontellable sorow.
1552. Abp. Hamilton, Catech. (1884), 16. The glore of the saule quhilk is untelabil.
1830. Mrs. Opie, in Brightwell, Mem. (1854), 246. It fills me with untellable wonder and admiration of him.
1865. Trench, Gustavus Adolphus, ii. 76. Which, though not absolutely untellable, had yet better remain untold.
1886. Ruskin, Præterita, I. 422. The joy of approved love, and the untellable, incalculable motive of its sympathy.
Hence Untellably adv.
c. 1425. St. Eliz. of Spalbeck, in Anglia, VIII. 109/21. Whanne þese and oþere lyke are doon often and vntellably.
1513. Douglas, Æneid, VIII. ix. 38. The fader than … full tenderly Apone him hingis, wepand ontellably.
1889. Missionary Herald, Feb., 50. [The character of the people] is terribly bad,… untellably bloodthirsty, cruel, and lascivious.
