shatter-brained

It was the first time he had been really engaged, and his affection had not only stood three months 'absence, but had so much elevated his shatter-brained though frank and honest temperament, that Albinia conceived a high opinion of' Emily, 'and did her best to persuade him to be patient, and wait for promotion.

The Young Step-Mother Charlotte Mary Yonge 1862

Lord Rotherwood was Mr. Mohun's ward, and having a dull home of his own, found his chief happiness as well as all the best influences of his life, in the merry, highly-principled, though easy-going life at his uncle's, whom he revered like a father, while his eager, somewhat shatter-brained nature often made him a butt to his cousins.

The Two Sides of the Shield Charlotte Mary Yonge 1862

"Another run over here to no purpose!" he cried peevishly: "I wanted to speak to the young shatter-brained jackanapes; and now I hear from the smelting-lads down in the town, that he has just been scampering through it, and not a soul can tell where he is gone."

The Old Man of the Mountain, The Lovecharm and Pietro of Abano Tales from the German of Tieck Ludwig Tieck 1813

It is always good for young people to be put upon exerting themselves; and you know, my dear Catherine, you always were a sad little shatter-brained creature; but now you must have been forced to have your wits about you, with so much changing of chaises and so forth; and I hope it will appear that you have not left anything behind you in any of the pockets. "

Northanger Abbey 1818

It is always good for young people to be put upon exerting themselves; and you know, my dear Catherine, you always were a sad little shatter-brained creature; but now you must have been forced to have your wits about you, with so much changing of chaises and so forth; and I hope it will appear that you have not left anything behind you in any of the pockets. "

Northanger Abbey Austen, Jane, 1775-1817 1818

It is always good for young people to be put upon exerting themselves; and you know, my dearCatherine, you always were a sad little shatter-brained creature; but now you must have been forced to have your wits about you, with so much changing of chaises and so forth; and I hope it will appear that you have not left any thing behind you in any of the pockets. "

Northanger Abbey 1798