▪ I. unˈchristian, a. and n.
[un-1 7 and 12. Cf. unchristen a.]
1. Of persons: Not Christian; not professing, or converted to, Christianity; devoid of Christian principles or feeling.
| 1555 Latimer in Foxe A. & M. (1563) 1373/1 That iurisdiction whiche the vnchristian Princes before by tyranny did resiste. 1594 Hooker Eccl. Pol. ii. v. §7 Whereupon grew a question, whether a Christian Souldier might herein doe as the vnchristian did. 1606 Arraignem. & Execution Late Traitors (1872) 5 They wanted nothing, that..was thought fit, and, indeed, too good for so unchristian offenders. 1755 N. Magens Insurances II. 250 Any Turkish, Moorish, Barbarian or other unchristian Pirates. 1852 Mrs. Stowe Uncle Tom's C. xiv, ‘Well, I hate those old slaveholders!’ said the boy, who felt as unchristian as became any modern reformer. 1864 C. M. Yonge in Mag. for Young May 152 The allowing an untaught un-Christian population to grow up among them. |
b. Imposed by non-Christians.
| 1816 Byron Siege Cor. ix, Ere that faithless truce was broke Which freed her from the unchristian yoke. |
c. n. One who is not a Christian.
| 1827 Carlyle Germ. Rom. III. 285 This morning the little Unchristian, my godson, was precisely the person least attended to. |
2. Of actions, etc.: At variance with Christian principles; devoid of Christian spirit; unbefitting or unbecoming a Christian.
| 1581 L. Aldersey in Hakluyt Voy. (1599) II. 152 We are not indeede all good Christians, for there are in the ship some that hold very vnchristian opinions. 1585–7 T. Rogers 39 Art. iv. (1633) 18 Vtterly false then, and vnchristian is the opinion of those men. 1605 London Prodigal iii. ii. 185 That were vnchristian, and an vnhumane part. 1651 Hobbes Leviath. iii. xlii. 279 Disciples that obstinately continue in an unchristian life. 1679 Sharp Serm. St. Margaret's 11 Apr. 18, I mean the Unnatural, Un-Christian Feuds and Divisions that are amongst us. 1729 Berkeley Skel. Serm. Wks. 1871 IV. 639 Their own unchristian life and neglect of instruction. 1755 Young Centaur i. Wks. 1757 IV. 115 He was for making religion familiar and inoffensive. And so he did; and unchristian too. 1812 Henry Camp. agst. Quebec 131 The unchristian wish, that he might be hanged. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. viii. II. 389 He..had repeatedly assailed them with unjust and unchristian asperity. 1876 Bancroft Hist. U.S. I. v. 131 Some years later, John de Wycliffe asserted strongly the unchristian character of slavery. |
b. Improper; unnatural; objectionable.
| 1630 R. Johnson's Kingd. & Commw. 475 The most Unchristian abuse is, that in every great towne he hath a Caback (or Tap-house) to sell Aqua-vite. 1633 Fletcher & Shirley Night Walker iii, My Aunt has turn'd me out a doors, she has, At this unchristian hour. 1831 E. J. Trelawny Adv. Younger Son III. 89 This was the unchristianest, beastliest liquor I ever tasted. |
▪ II. † unˈchristian, v. Obs.
[un-2 6 a. Cf. Du. ontchristenen (Sewel).]
= unchristianize v.
| 1633 Prynne Histrio-m. 172 Is this a light..effeminacie, for men..thus..to vnman, vnchristian, vncreate themselues? 1658 Baxter Saving Faith §8. 60 If I deny this, I must unchurch and unchristian almost all..of the Churches and Christians in the world. 1661 Beveridge Priv. Th. ii. (1730) 46 By this means, he renouncing his Baptism, blasphemes Christ, unchristians himself. 1712 Bp. Talbot Charge 16 How many Thousands does this Doctrine unchristian of those that were born..from..1648, to..1660? |