Middle English Dictionary Entry
untǒuched ppl.
Entry Info
Forms | untǒuched ppl. Also untouchede, untochid, ontouched. |
Etymology | From tǒuched , p.ppl. of tǒuchen v. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Not handled with the hands, implements, etc.; not touched, undisturbed; of food: untasted, uneaten; of a garment: ?unworn, new;
(b) untouched by something physically damaging; specif., untouched by rain, dry; untouched by fire, not burned; ~ of the fir, untouched by the flames, unscathed by the fire;
(c) undamaged, not harmed; also, of a formal title, appellation, etc.: intact;
(d) virginal, sexually pure; also as an epithet for the Virgin Mary;
(e) unreached, unattained;
(f) unmentioned.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)4 Kings 23.18 : Þe citezeyns…vntowchid laftyn þe bones of hym.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)6.4 : Euery grayne…hath floures swete; Vntouched now the tilman let hem growe.
- a1475 Asneth (Hnt EL 26.A.13)437 : Do on þi riche aray, Þi lynnen robe, untouched, newe, þat glorious ys & gay.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)7.161 : Hit was a pleasure to hym his gestes to leve raþer meytes untowchede then that þei scholde have desyrede moo.
b
- c1425 Found.St.Barth.62 head. : Of an howse vntouchid yn myddyl of the fyer.
- c1450(?c1425) St.Mary Oign.(Dc 114)142/34 : She…so in þe rayne-tyme come home ageyne vntouched.
- c1450 Jacob's W.(Sal 103)183/17 : His suster was schreuyn, & be þe vertu of schryfte, was vn-towchyd of þe fyir.
c
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)33b/a : Illibatus: vntowched [Hrl 1738: ontowchyd].
- (1439) Proc.Privy C.5.390 : So that hys name, hys stile, an intitulacyon yn alwyse remaigne hool, saaf, and untouched fro al diminusyng.
- (1451) in Rymer's Foedera (1709-10)11.292 : It is my said Lordes Maistirs and Myn…ful Entents and Will…to kepe the Premissez…Untouchid, Unattained, Unhurt, Unprejudiced, Illibate, and Hole.
d
- a1425 LOL (Wnds E.I.I)95/13 : Marie…Whom þe aungel Gabriel as an heuenly mediatour kepte vntouched, and so dide Ioon apostle and Ewangelist.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)34b(2)/b : Intemeratus: vntouched, wyþute wem [Pep: clene, vnsoilled; Hrl 2257: vnfouled; Add 33534: vnwemmed].
- c1425 Found.St.Barth.49/29 : A wantan, ioly yonge mane…callid one the mayde; she…skapid vntowchid.
- c1450 Bk.GGrace (Eg 2006)81/22 : He [Holy Spirit] made here a modere meruelouselye…euere to abyde a vyrgyne vntowchede.
- 1530(c1450) Mirror Our Lady (Fawkes)171 : O vntouwched mother of the kynge of peace.
e
- c1460 Tree & Fruits HG (McC 132)122/2 : Whan þei han wonne þe highest poynt of perfeccioun as it may be had in this lif, þer shul seme sumwhat left vntochid of þe first degre of perfeccioun…for þei shuld euer…þenke þat vnnethe þey han touchid þe lest poynt of perfeccioun.
f
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Josh.8.35 : No þyng of þese þyngys þat Moises comaundede he lefte ontouched.
- a1425(?c1384) Wycl.Church (Bod 788)362 : No þing untouchid in þis lawe shulde be dun or axid to do.