unready

adjective

1. not ready; not made ready: The new stadium is as yet unready for use.
2. not in a state of readiness; unprepared: emotionally unready for success.
3. lacking in presence of mind, as when a quick decision or a sharp answer is required: Awkward situations often found him unready.
4. British Dialect. not dressed.
5. not prompt or quick.

adjective

1. not ready or prepared
2. slow or hesitant to see or act
3. archaic not dressed

adj.mid-14c., “not prepared,” from un- (1) “not” + ready. In English history, applied to Anglo-Saxon King Æðelræd II (968-1016), where it preserves the fuller original sense of Old English ungeræd “ill-advised, rede-less, no-counsel” and plays on the king’s name (which means “good-counsel”). The epithet is attested from early 13c. Old English ræda “advise, counsel” is related to read (v.). Rede “counsel” survived in poetic usage to 17c. An attempted revival by Scott (19c.) failed, though it is used in Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings.”