unruly

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English

Etymology

From Middle English unruly (“unquiet, restless”), equivalent to un- +‎ rule +‎ -ly (compare Middle English ruly, reuli (“subject to a religious rule, regular”)), but also representing a modified continuation of earlier Middle English unrouly, unroly (“unquiet, restless”), equivalent to un- +‎ roolie. The latter is perhaps from or influenced by Old Norse *úróligr, related to Danish urolig (“restless”), Swedish orolig (“restless”), Icelandic órólegur (“agitated”). Compare also Middle English unroo, unro (“unrest”). More at roo.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ʌnˈɹuːli/
  • Audio (Southern England)(file)
  • Rhymes: -uːli

Adjective

unruly (comparative unrulier, superlative unruliest)

  1. Wild; uncontrolled.
    The police gathered to contain the unruly mob.
    • 1985, Morrissey & Johnny Marr (lyrics and music), “Barbarism Begins at Home”, in Meat Is Murder, performed by The Smiths:
      Unruly boys who will not grow up / Must be taken in hand / Unruly girls who will not settle down / They must be taken in hand
    • 2011 Allen Gregory, "Pilot" (season 1, episode 1):
      Richard DeLongpre: Are you okay, my boy angel?
      Allen Gregory DeLongpre: I have a broken heart. And undergarments filled with my own unruly waste.

Translations

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