uncleanlinessn.
/(ˌ)ʌnˈklɛnlɪnᵻs/, /(ˌ)ʌŋˈklɛnlɪnᵻs/, U.S. /ˌənˈklɛnlinᵻs/ 1. Lack of physical cleanliness; dirtiness; filthiness. Also concrete: dirt, filth.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > dirtiness > [noun]
foulnessOE
uncleannessOE
filthheadc1300
foulhead1340
filtha1425
filthiness?c1425
horynessc1425
uncleanliness1502
immundicity?1541
filthhood1582
dirtiness1607
slovenliness1617
muckiness1676
turpitude1684
muck1766
dirt1774
grot1971
1502 tr. Ordynarye of Crysten Men (de Worde) v. i. sig. nnii They [sc. deuylles &..the dampned] ben full of all vnclenlynes and smoke.
1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes f. 142v He was a gooer into places full of stynke and all vnclenelynesse.
1623 R. Jobson Golden Trade 36 In your milke you shold not perceiue a mote, nor in her butter any vncleanlines.
1690 Jrnl. Late Motions & Actions of Confederate Forces 9 The neather part of the Houses of the Town are all Stables, which occasions the uncleanliness of the Streets.
1722 London Gaz. No. 6057/1 The Poverty and Uncleanliness of the Parents.
1777 G. Forster Voy. round World I. i. ii. 44 When the people..wash off any uncleanliness that may obstruct the pores.
1802 M. M. Sherwood Susan Gray 18 However poor you may be, there can be no necessity for uncleanliness.
1899 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. VIII. 747 Personal uncleanliness is a powerful general cause [of Acnitis].
1931 A. L. Rowse Diary 2 Sept. (2003) 65 There was a stale smell in the room. Was it ordure, an old sick man's uncleanliness?
2006 B. Gabriel Because They Hate (2008) 103 If you walk one block into the eastern side of the city, the first thing you notice is uncleanliness.
2. Lack of moral cleanliness; moral impurity; immorality. Also: a state in which a person is considered unclean for religious or cultural reasons; ritual impurity.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > moral or spiritual impurity > [noun]
uncleannesseOE
unpurenessa1425
uncleanliness1509
impurity1548
impureness1557
immundicity1559
sluttery1607
uncleansedness1622
immundity1870
1509 A. Barclay Brant's Shyp of Folys (Pynson) f. ccliv The newe disgyses hath..come to Englonde: and eche vnclenlynes Doth lede vs wretchys.
?1529 R. Hyrde tr. J. L. Vives Instr. Christen Woman Pref. sig. B.iijv I wolde nat fall in to any vnclenlynes: which were the greattest shame that can be, for hym that shuld be a maister of chastite.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) ii. i. 78 My wife..might haue bin accus'd in fornication, adultery, and all vncleanlinesse there. View more context for this quotation
1689 E. Bohun tr. J. Sleidane Gen. Hist. Reformation of Church x. 209 It was his intention to reform the holy City of Rome..; that he would make a clear riddance of all her Vices and Uncleanliness.
1738 A. Mears Bk. Relig., Ceremonies & Prayers of Jews 81 Look on..our unworthyness like the uncleanliness of the unclean women.
1795 Oracle & Public Advertiser 14 Apr. By entering into one of those offices a man was to be considered as purified from all uncleanliness.
1859 P. W. Perfitt Hist. Revivalism in Ireland 8 Men who..can hold up their own party..as abounding in lust, lying, and all uncleanliness.
1923 Palo Alto (Emmetsburg, Iowa) Tribune 2 May About as potent a factor in ridding the world of fear and suspicion as a statute prohibiting selfishness and uncleanliness of mind.
2000 J. Diski Only Human (2002) 171 Stories..that women tell each other in the seclusion of their time of uncleanliness, when the blood flows.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2017; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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