1. Not having undergone circumcision. Also absol.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), IV. 115. By ensample of hem meny of þe Iewes … lefte hem uncircumsised, and cleped hem self Antiochenes.
c. 1400. Apol. Loll., 35. Ilk alien kynd & vncircumsisid in hert, and vncircumsisid in flesch, schal not go in to my sanctuari.
1526. Tindale, Rom. ii. 26. Yf the vncircumcised kepe the right thynges contayned in the lawe, shall nott his vncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
1565. Allen, Def. Purg., xvii. 285 b. Iudas or any other in the lawe, offered for his friend, or any man elles being vncircumcised.
1608. Bp. Hall, Epistles, V. iv. As a seale of the righteousnes of that faith, which he had when he was vncircumcised.
1668. Dryden, Evening’s Love, III. We of the Uncircumcised, in a civil way, as Lovers, have somewhat the advantage of your Musullman.
1685. Baxter, Paraphr. N. T., Gal. v. 6. For in our State of Christianity … a Man shall not be accepted and justified as circumcised, or as uncircumcised.
1825. Scott, Talism., ix. I will not reason with one uncircumcised upon the virtue of the medicines.
1850. F. W. Newman, Phases Faith, 180. In the conversion of Cornelius was the justification of Peter for admitting uncircumcised Gentiles.
transf. 1535. Coverdale, Lev. xix. 23. All maner trees wherof men eate…: thre yeares shal ye holde them for vncircumcysed. [Also in later versions.]
2. fig. Not spiritually chastened or purified; irreligious; heathen. Also absol.
a. 1400. New Test. (Paues), Acts vii. 51. Harde-frownted ande vncircumsised hertes ande eares.
c. 1400. Apol. Loll., 34. Alien sonis vncircumsicid in hert.
1526. Tindale, Acts vii. 51. Ye stiffenecked and of vncircumcised hertes and eares: ye have allwayes resisted agaynste the holy goost.
1591. Sylvester, Du Bartas, I. ii. 1185. Uncircumcised! O hard hearts! At least Let’s think that God those Waters doth digest In that steep place.
1642. Milton, Apol. Smect., Wks. 1851, III. 310. In the Hebrew text, which is so necessary to be understood, except it be some few of them, their lips are utterly uncircumcis’d.
1685. Baxter, Paraphr. N. T., Acts vii. 51. Ye are an unruly obstinate people, whose hearts are unreformed and uncircumcised.
1800. Weems, Washington, xi. (1877). 149. The pirates of Morocco laying their uncircumcised hands on our rich commerce in the Mediterranean.
1835. Scott, Betrothed, vii. Such an uncircumcised Philistine as thou or thy master.
Hence Uncircumcisedness.
1583. Golding, Calvin on Deut. lxxii. 442. This people … who therefore were oftentimes vpbrayded with the vncircumcisednes of their heartes.
a. 1639. Whateley, Prototypes, I. xvi. (1640), 158. We make use of the outward scale, thereby to be made to see and feel our uncircumcisednesse of heart.
