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Webster 1913 Edition

Unruly

Un-rul′y

,
Adj.
[
Com
par.
Unrulier
,
sup
erl.
Unruliest
.]
[Pref.
un-
not +
rule
. Cf.
Ruly
.]
Not submissive to rule; disregarding restraint; disposed to violate; turbulent; ungovernable; refractory;
as, an
unruly
boy;
unruly
boy;
unruly
conduct.
But the tongue can no man tame; it is an
unruly
evil, full of deadly poison.
James iii. 8.

Webster 1828 Edition

Unruly

UNRU'LY

, a.
1.
Disregarding restraint; licentious; disposed to violate laws; turbulent; ungovernable; as an unruly youth.
The tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil. James. 4.
2.
Accustomed to break over fences and escape from inclosures; apt to break or leap fences; as an unruly ox.
The owner of the unruly ox paid a sum of money, as a civil penalty for the ransom of his life.

Definition 2024

unruly

unruly

English

Adjective

unruly ‎(comparative unrulier, superlative unruliest)

  1. wild; uncontrolled
    The police gathered to contain the unruly mob.

Translations

Etymology

From Middle English unruly ‎(“unquiet, restless”), interpreted as 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 an Old Norse word related to Danish urolig ‎(“restless”), Swedish orolig ‎(“restless”), Icelandic órólegur ‎(“agitated”). Compare also Middle English unroo, unro ‎(“unrest”). More at roo.

Pronunciation

  • Rhymes: -uːli

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