Now rare. [UN-1 7.]
1. Unbecoming, improper.
1483. Cov. Leet Bk., 511. Not beyng content with such answer [he] desired a copy of þat Evidence,… &… other vntowardly wordes there vttered.
1598. Grenewey, Tacitus, Ann., I. ii. 3. Little doubt but Augustus, complaining of the yong mans vntowardly behauior, caused his exile to be confirmed.
1693. Locke, Educ., 70. [Children] frequently learn from unbred or debauched Servants … untowardly Tricks and Vices.
b. Froward, perverse, ill-disposed.
1561. T. Hoby, trans. Castiglione’s Courtyer, IV. Z z iii. Not to be haughtie, enuious,… contentious nor vntowardlye.
1598. Barckley, Felic. Man, v. 427. If they [sc. children] prooue vntowardly and giuen to lewdnesse, what greater griefe can happen to a man?
a. 1678. H. Scougal, Disc. Imp. Subj. (1735), 193. Sad and heavy looks, morose and untowardly deportment.
1712. Steele, Spect., No. 442, ¶ 3. The Serene or Cloudy, Jovial or Melancholy, Untowardly or Easy [Temper].
1791. Washington, Lett., Writ. 1892, XII. 85. If you are disobliging, self-willed, and untowardly, it is hardly to be expected that they will engage themselves in unpleasant disputes with you.
1887. S. Cheshire Gloss., 320. Ay, he’s … an unto’artly yowth, is Joe.
2. Awkward, clumsy.
1611. Cotgr., Faire le pied de veau, to make an vntowardlie, or clownish leg; or, to vse a foolish lifting vp of the leg in dauncing, &c.
a. 1642. Sir W. Monson, Naval Tracts, II. (1704), 270/1. They went the most untowardly way I ever saw.
1668. Etheredge, She cou’d if she cou’d, III. ii. Well, thou hast seduc’d me; But I shall look so untowardly.
3. Ill-suiting; adverse; unfavorable.
1756. C. Lucas, Ess. Waters, II. 257. I have observed at Spa … one most untowardly effect.
1856. Carlyle, Lett., 22. Feb. (Encycl. Dict.). Travelling is at all times very untowardly to me. Ibid. (1864), Fredk. Gt., xv. iii. IV. 32. The Expedition does not improve in promise;… the march one of the most untowardly.
