English

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Pronunciation

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Etymology 1

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From Middle English unkyndely; equivalent to un- +‎ kindly (adjective). Compare Old English unġecyndelīċ.[1][2]

Adjective

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unkindly (comparative more unkindly, superlative most unkindly)

  1. Not kindly.
    1. Not kind, lacking in friendliness, warm-heartedness or sympathy.
    2. (archaic) Rough, unfavourable, bad.
      • 1658, Thomas Browne, “The Garden of Cyrus. []. Chapter III.”, in Hydriotaphia, Urne-buriall, [] Together with The Garden of Cyrus, [], London: [] Hen[ry] Brome [], →OCLC, page 130:
        From this superfluous pulp in unkindely, and wet years, may arise that multiplicity of little insects, which infest the Roots and Sprouts of tender Graines and pulses.
      • 1789, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, “Anthem for the Children of Christ’s Hospital”, in The Poetical Works of S. T. Coleridge[2], volume 1, London: William Pickering, published 1834, page 5:
        Unkindly cold and tempest shrill / In life’s morn oft the traveller chill,
    3. (obsolete) Unnatural, contrary to the natural or proper order of things.
Derived terms
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Etymology 2

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From Middle English unkyndely; equivalent to un- +‎ kindly (adverb) or unkind +‎ -ly. Compare Old English unġecyndelīċe.[3][4]

Adverb

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unkindly (comparative more unkindly, superlative most unkindly)

  1. In an unkind manner.
  2. (obsolete) In an unnatural manner.
    • 1667, John Milton, “Book III”, in Paradise Lost. [], London: [] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker []; [a]nd by Robert Boulter []; [a]nd Matthias Walker, [], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: [], London: Basil Montagu Pickering [], 1873, →OCLC, lines 455-458:
      All th’ unaccomplisht works of Natures hand, / Abortive, monstrous, or unkindly mixt, / Dissolvd on earth, fleet hither, and in vain, / Till final dissolution, wander here,
Antonyms
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References

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  1. ^ unkindly, adj.”, in OED Online  , Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.
  2. ^ unkīndelī, adj.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.
  3. ^ unkindly, adv.”, in OED Online  , Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.
  4. ^ unkīndelī, adv.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.