Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- Unbecoming a prince; not resembling a prince.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- adjective Not
princely ;unprincelike .
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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On the very same day I found books by Thoreau, Petronius, and Bernard Shaw, each for same unprincely price.
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Rigg leapt to his feet and let out a boyish, privick, unprincely hoot of happiness.
Pathfinder Orson Scott Card 2010
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Nor would the unprincely wretch marry her till he was in possession of the crown, that he might not be supposed to owe it to her claim.
Clarissa Harlowe 2006
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'Wicked sons have sprung from the noble race of David, and princes ought not to disgrace themselves by unprincely vices.'
Life of Luther Julius Koestlin
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Over opposite, and crowning the height where the little town of Nemi perches, frowns the old feudal castle of the Colonna, with its tall, round tower, where many a princely family has dwelt and many an unprincely act has been done.
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Disguised as the prince, to conceal the identity of the real prince at Oxford, he is served by the merry nobles and proves himself humorously unprincely.
The Growth of English Drama Arnold Wynne
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"We can't do such an unprincely thing as take service with you," said
The King of Ireland's Son Padraic Colum 1926
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The Duke simulated his profound regret, but when Louis 'back was turned made a most unprincely and most uncourtly grimace at his royal uncle, which set them all a-laughing.
The Black Wolf's Breed A Story of France in the Old World and the New, happening in the Reign of Louis XIV Harris Dickson 1907
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But the next moment he was himself disturbed by it, and showed discomposure; for this was the only service he had been permitted to do with his own hands during the meal, and he did not doubt that he had done a most improper and unprincely thing.
The Prince and the Pauper; a tale for young people of all ages 1882
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When the Duke of Prussia endeavoured once more in a friendly way to dissuade him from his purpose, for the honour of the house of Brandenburg, he replied, 'Wicked sons have sprung from the noble race of David, and princes ought not to disgrace themselves by unprincely vices.'
Life of Martin Luther Koestlin, Julius 1881
bilby commented on the word unprincely
"But if you have already determined of me, and that not only my death, but an infamous slander must bring your the joying of your desired happiness, then I desire of God that he will pardon your great sin herein, and likewise my enemies, the instruments thereof; and that he will not call you to a strait account for your unprincely and cruel usage of me at his general judgment-seat, where both you and myself must shortly appear; and in whose just judgment, I doubt not (whatsoever the world may think of me), mine innocency shall be openly known and sufficiently cleared."
- Letter of Queen Anne Boleyn to her husband, King Henry VIII, 6 May 1536.
The linked page includes commentary regarding the issue of this letter's authenticity.
July 27, 2009