unruly

Meaning

Adjective

• Wild; uncontrolled.

Origin

• From Middle English unruly ("unquiet, restless"), equivalent to un- + rule (compare Middle English ruly, reuli), but also representing a modified continuation of earlier Middle English unrouly, unroly, 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. More at roo.