ppl. a. (UN-1 8.)

1

  Common from c. 1730; hence (in recent use) uncausedness.

2

a. 1628.  F. Grevil, Lett. to Honorable Lady (1633), C iv. To giue all, and take nothing, proceeds of an uncaused goodnesse, and so necessarily of an vnabusing.

3

1722.  Wollaston, Relig. Nat., v. 65. Where there is a subordination of causes and effects, there must necessarily be a cause in nature prior to the rest, uncaused.

4

1768–74.  Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1834), I. 366. We know that He is almighty, self-existent, uncaused.

5

1796.  Bp. Watson, Apol. Bible, 367. What think you of an uncaused cause of every thing?

6

1849.  H. Spencer, in Academy, 25 June (1904), 690/1. An uncaused deity is just as inconceivable as an uncaused universe.

7

1871.  Tylor, Prim. Cult., I. 4. He has simply thrown out … the whole fabric of motiveless will and uncaused spontaneity.

8