English edit

Etymology edit

unguarded +‎ -ly

Adverb edit

unguardedly (comparative more unguardedly, superlative most unguardedly)

  1. In an unguarded manner.
    • 1759, [Laurence Sterne], chapter XIV, in The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman, 2nd (1st London) edition, volume II, London: [] R[obert] and J[ames] Dodsley [], published 1760, →OCLC:
      As for great wigs, upon which I may be thought to have spoken my mind too freely—I beg leave to qualify whatever has been unguardedly said to their dispraise or prejudice, by one general declaration—That I have no abhorrence whatever, nor do I detest and abjure either great wigs or long beards []
    • 1810, [anonymous] [], chapter XXII, in Splendid Follies. A Novel, []. Founded on Facts., volume III, London: [] J[ames] F[letcher] Hughes, [], →OCLC, page 13:
      Alas! in those acute moments, Milford snatched to his lip the poisonous cup of intoxication, and during that delirium, if her hapless form met his glaring eye, the hand of passion would unguardedly wreak its vengeance on the insensate object of his wrath, and thus execrating Hymen, and all his votaries, this sullen captive would, till the exhausted storm of passion sunk him in agitated slumbers, while his sleepy wife was dreaming by his side, of all the glorious pomps and vanities to which her husband’s consequence, and her own imagined charms had raised her.
    • 1814 July, [Jane Austen], chapter IV, in Mansfield Park: [], volume III, London: [] T[homas] Egerton, [], →OCLC, page 86:
      And Fanny, though I hope I do justice to my sisters['] good qualities, I think it very possible that they might, one or both, be more desirous of being admired by Crawford, and might shew that desire rather more unguardedly than was perfectly prudent.
    • 1920, E. F. Benson, chapter 11, in Queen Lucia[1]:
      But Jane and Jacob are going to have quantities of champagne. Not tipsy, you understand, but at their best, and unguardedly appreciative of each other and us.