unsound

Etymology

un- + sound.

adj

  1. Not sound
    1. Not whole, not solid, defective.
      In the ensuing financial panic, many persons sustained heavy losses, and large numbers of unsound schemes succumbed. 1946 September and October, “Speculation Run Riot”, in Railway Magazine, page 269
      A striking example comes to mind, in which a scheme to improve the existing buildings finished up as virtually a complete reconstruction, owing to the unsound condition of the original structure! 1962 October, Brian Haresnape, “Focus on B.R. passenger stations”, in Modern Railways, page 255
      While he is reasonably effusive about inter-city travel, he is heavily disparaging of all types of stopping service, including those on otherwise busy main lines. His analysis is not entirely unsound, and he tackles some of the questions head on. March 8 2023, Gareth Dennis, “The Reshaping of things to come...”, in RAIL, number 978, page 47
    2. (especially of equestrianism) Infirm, diseased.
      ... A horse labouring under a temporary injury, capable of being speedily cured, is not unsound within the meaning of a warranty of soundness ... 1822, Sir John Comyns, Anthony Hammond, A Digest of the Laws of England
    3. (UK, especially of people) Not good, unreliable.
      You would not like Nietzsche, sir. He is fundamentally unsound. 1919, P.G. Wodehouse, My Man Jeeves

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