[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. 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. Miss 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 Corinth, ix. Ere that faithless truce was broke Which freed her from the unchristian yoke.
c. sb. 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. 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 April, 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. Trelawny, Adv. Younger Son, III. 89. This was the unchristianest, beastliest liquor I ever tasted.
