English Explanatory Dictionary

unruly

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Wild; uncontrolled.

Pronunciation

/ʌnˈɹuːli/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-unruly.wav

Word forms

unruly unrulier unruliest

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.

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