Obs. [OE. unweorðian (f. unweorþ UNWORTH a.1), = MDu. onwerden, MLG. unwerden, ON. úvirða, to slight, etc.; cf. also G. entwerthen to deprive of value.]
1. trans. To treat (a person or thing) disparagingly or with disdain; to slight, despise.
c. 950. Lindisf. Gosp., John viii. 49. Ic diuul ne hafo ah ic uorðiʓe faeder min & ʓie un-uorðade mec.
c. 1000. Ælfric, in Assmann, Ags. Hom., 93. Seo cwen ne unwurðode na þe ænne mid þan, ac ealle þine ealdormenn and eac þine þeʓnas.
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 131. For we swo unwurðeð ure drihten, wurðeð þe deuel.
c. 1200. Ormin, 18285. Hefiȝlike he shameþþ þe & shendeþþ & unnwurrþeþþ.
1340. Ayenb., 8. Huo þet onworþeþ his uader and his moder. Ibid., 84. Uirtue makeþ wynne heuene, and onworþi þe wordle.
2. To dishonor (something).
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 213. He sholde noht shenden godes shafte, ne swo unwurðin godes handiwerc.