Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Inofficious

Inˊof-fi′cious

,
Adj.
[L.
inofficiosus
: cf. F.
inofficieux
. See
In-
not, and
Officious
.]
1.
Indifferent to obligation or duty.
[Obs.]
Thou drown’st thyself in
inofficious
sleep.
B. Jonson.
2.
Not officious; not civil or attentive.
[Obs.]
Jonhson.
3.
(Law)
Regardless of natural obligation; contrary to natural duty; unkind; – commonly said of a testament made without regard to natural obligation, or by which a child is unjustly deprived of inheritance.
“The inofficious testament.”
Blackstone.
“An inofficious disposition of his fortune.”
Paley.

Webster 1828 Edition


Inofficious

INOFFI'CIOUS

,
Adj.
[in and officious.]
1.
Unkind; regardless of natural obligation; contrary to natural duty.
--Suggesting that the parent had lost the use of his reason, when he made the inofficious testament.
Let not a father hope to excuse an inofficious disposition of his fortune, by alleging that every man may do what he will with his own.
2.
Unfit for an office.
Thou drown'st thyself in inofficious sleep.
3.
Not civil or attentive.

Definition 2024


inofficious

inofficious

English

Adjective

inofficious (comparative more inofficious, superlative most inofficious)

  1. (obsolete) Indifferent to obligation or duty.
    Thou drown'st thyself in inofficious sleep. Ben Jonson.
  2. (obsolete) Not officious; not civil or attentive.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Johnson to this entry?)
  3. (obsolete, law) Contrary to one's natural obligation or duty, as of a testament by which a child is unjustly deprived of inheritance.
    The inofficious testament. Blackstone.
    An inofficious disposition of his fortune. Paley.