Unkyngly

Part of speech: adjective, adverb

Definitions

1. Not in the manner expected of a king, lacking the dignity, bearing or conduct that a monarch should show
2. Behaving or appearing in a way that falls short of royal dignity and the noble conduct proper to a ruler
3. Describing actions or a bearing that are unworthy of a sovereign, showing a want of regal dignity

Etymology: "Unkyngly" is a Middle English compound: the prefix "un-" ("not") attached to "kyngly," the spelling of "kingly" used in that period. "Kyngly" descends from Old English "cyninglic," formed from "cyning" ("king") and the adjective-forming suffix "-lic" ("-ly"). The result meant "not befitting a king," so it could describe conduct, bearing, or behaviour that fell short of royal dignity. The form is a plain formation rather than a borrowing or a coinage with a known author. Its meaning follows directly from its parts, and it belongs to the large group of English adjectives built with "un-" on native stems. Because the spelling "kyngly" reflects the medieval pronunciation and orthography, the word was rare, and it is now effectively obsolete, surviving mainly in historical texts. The adverb sense has the same basis, meaning "in a manner unbecoming a king."

Synonyms: ignoble, unroyal, ungracious

Antonyms: kingly, regal