uncityv.
transitive.
1. To deprive of the privileges of a city.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > district in relation to human occupation > town as opposed to country > city > make like city [verb (transitive)] > deprive of privileges of city
uncitya1661
a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Glouc. 368 Some questioned its Charter, and would have had it Un-Citied, because Un-Bishoped in our Civil Wars.
2. To destroy as a city.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (transitive)] > devastate or lay waste (a place, etc.)
harryc893
fordoc900
awesteeOE
westeeOE
losec950
harrowc1000
destroyc1230
wastec1275
ravishc1325
to lie waste1338
exilea1382
to-wastea1382
unronea1400
desolatea1425
vast1434
fruster?a1513
to lay waste1535
wipe1535
devast1537
depopulate1548
populate1552
forwaste1563
ruinate1564
havoc1575
scourge1576
dispopulate1588
destitute1593
ravage1602
harassa1618
devastate1638
execute1679
to make stroy of1682
to lay in ashes1711
untown1783
hell-rake1830
uncity1850
1850 J. S. Blackie tr. Æschylus Lyrical Dramas I. 211 The ancient city of famous Priam thou Didst sheer uncity.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online June 2019).
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