a. [UN-1 7.]
1. Not in accordance with history.
1611. Speed, Hist. Gt. Brit., IX. viii. § 9. So partiall and vnhistoricall is the report of one,… who faines [etc.].
1830. Gentl. Mag., C. II. 139. It is perfectly unhistorical to suppose that [etc.].
1852. Bunsen, Hippolytus & Age, II. 160. The notion of a merely historical revelation by written records is as unhistorical as it is unintellectual.
1877. J. Northcote, Catacombs, I. v. 89. The thoroughly unhistorical way in which these few subjects are dealt with.
b. Not versed in history.
1865. W. G. Palgrave, Arabia, II. 22. Perhaps the unhistorical prophet had in mind some confused idea [etc.].
2. Not possessed of a historical character; not having actually occurred.
1848. Jas. Smith, Voy. & Shipwr. Paul, 252. Such circumstances … are unhistorical, and are … omitted by the Evangelist who wrote historically.
1882. Farrar, Early Chr., II. 13. The supposed fact is unhistorical, but the remark shows [etc.].
So Unhistorically adv.
Also, in recent use, unhistoricalness.
1887. Athenæum, 13 Aug., 206/3. We have unhistorically applied the word ‘German’ as the designation of one particular language of the group.
1879. A. Ransom, trans. Keim’s Hist. Jesus, IV. 277–8. The unhistoricalness of this representation is seen at once in the impossibility that the Baptist, the man of action and the awaiter of the Messiah of action, should look for a suffering lamb, which would in truth be an offence to his brave soul.
