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uncleanly. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
uncleanly, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
uncleanly in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
uncleanly you have here. The definition of the word
uncleanly will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
uncleanly, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology 1
From Middle English unclenlī, onclenlich, from Old English unclǣnlīc, equivalent to un- + cleanly.
Pronunciation
Adjective
uncleanly (comparative more uncleanly, superlative most uncleanly)
- Dirty, unhygienic, not clean.
1907, Annual Report, Ohio. State Board of Health:Prosodemic typhoid from its nature may be disseminated in innumerable ways, but is more frequently found in slum districts, where the habits of the people are uncleanly, or in districts where there is no adequate sewerage.
- Not pure in a moral or religious sense.
Synonyms
Translations
morally or religiously impure
Etymology 2
From Middle English unclenly, onclenly, unclenely; compare Old English unclǣnlīce; equivalent to unclean + -ly.
Pronunciation
Adverb
uncleanly (comparative more uncleanly, superlative most uncleanly)
- not in a clean way; in an unclean way
Translations
References
- “unclē̆nlī, adj.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.
- James A. H. Murray [et al.], editors (1884–1928), “Uncleanly”, in A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles (Oxford English Dictionary), volumes X, Part 1 (Ti–U), London: Clarendon Press, →OCLC, page 87, column 3.