untouchedadj.
/(ˌ)ʌnˈtʌtʃt/, U.S. /ˌənˈtətʃt/ I. Senses relating to the absence of physical touch.
1.
a. Not touched with the hand (finger, foot, etc.): not handled or treated by hand, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > touch and feeling > touching > [adjective] > not touched
untouched1382
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) 2 Kings xxiii. 18 The citeȝeens..vntouchid laften the boonys of hym.
c1440 Pallad. on Husb. vi. 4 Now euery grayne almeest hath floures swete; Vntouched now the tilman let hem growe.
?1504 W. Atkinson tr. Thomas à Kempis Ful Treat. Imytacyon Cryste (Pynson) i. xiii. 162 A bell untouchyd is not perfytely knowen whether it be hole..or dyscrased.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) iii. xvi. sig. Rv6v I pray you..to let my maides take my body vntouched by you.
1673 R. Leigh Transproser Rehears'd 43 Romances are thumb'd more than.. Gondibert is Dogs-ear'd, while the Rabbies are untoucht.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis x, in tr. Virgil Wks. 533 Untouch'd thy Arms, untaken be thy Sword.
1725 W. Broome in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey I. ii 396 Untouch'd and sacred may these vessels stand, 'Till great Ulysses views his native land.
1801 W. Scott Glenfinlas in M. G. Lewis Tales of Wonder I. 130 Untouch'd the harp began to ring.
1816 J. Wilson City of Plague i. ii. 26 Buy poison, and 'twill lie for years untouch'd Beneath thy pillow.
1877 T. H. Huxley Physiography p. viii The manuscript remained untouched until last year.
b. Not touched by another body, etc.; †spec. (quot. 1731), unmagnetized.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > distance > distance or farness > [adjective] > remote, apart, or separate > not touched by another body
untoucheda1595
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > magnetism > [adjective] > magnetized > not
untouched1731
unmagnetized1793
a1595 R. Southwell Christ's Bloody Sweat in Mæoniæ 3 Fat soile, full spring, sweete oliue, grape of blisse, Vntil'd, vndrawne, vnstampt, vntoucht of presse.
1731 Philos. Trans. 1729–30 (Royal Soc.) 36 295 Of Touched Iron or Steel (or of Untouched, so long as it remains in a Posture which gives it Polarity).
1736 J. Thomson Britain: 4th Pt. Liberty 416 Even yet untouch'd by daring keel, be theirs The vast Pacific.
c. Not approached, crossed, or traversed.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social relations > lack of social communication or relations > retirement or seclusion > secluded place or place of seclusion > [adjective] > unfrequented > untrodden or untraversed
untroddena1300
unpassed1542
unsaileda1572
unridden1574
untroda1593
unpractised1621
unpassen1624
untouched1628
untraced1641
untravelled1646
untrampled1648
unwalked1648
unwandered1654
unploughed1655
uninfested1670
unentered1774
unkeeled1807
untraversed1807
unscaled1812
unvoyaged1816
unfooted1818
unthrid1843
unthreaded1895
1628 T. May tr. Virgil Georgicks iii. 75 Let us follow the Woods, and Lands Vntouch'd.
1729 T. Innes Crit. Ess. Anc. Inhabitants Scotl. I. 28 The northern wall..was of no use at all to keep off the enemies, who leaving it untouch'd, passed easily over the narrow Friths.
1882 H. S. Holland Logic & Life 50 We are carried forward to explore new regions of our souls as yet untouched and untrodden.
2. † b. Not having had sexual connections; immaculate, chaste, undefiled. Obsolete.
a. Not affected physically, esp. in an injurious manner; not damaged, harmed, or meddled with; unhurt, uninjured; intact. Const. by, †of.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > perfection > [adjective] > free from harm or damage
unwoundedOE
scathelessc1175
skerea1225
unhurta1225
harmlessc1290
soundc1290
unshent1303
wella1325
quartc1330
untouchedc1400
inviolatea1420
unscathed1425
dangerlessc1440
unshendc1440
undefiledc1460
unhurted1483
hailscarta1522
undefaced1537
unpairedc1540
uncloyeda1560
undamnified1576
undemnified1576
uninjured1578
unfoiled1579
salamander-like1593
unvulnered1613
undamaged1648
invulneratea1680
sincere1700
c1400 Found. St. Bartholomew's 62 Of an howse vntouchid yn myddyl of the fyer.
c1450 Jacob's Well (1900) 183 His suster..be þe vertu of schryfte, was vntowchyd of þe fyir.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. BBBi Whiche came out safe and vntouched of the fyer.
1571 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Psalmes of Dauid with Comm. (xvi. 10) No one [of the faithful] becommeth partaker of incorruptible lyfe, untowched of rotting.
1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 101 The Sultan..polluted the sepulchre of our blessed Sauiour,..of all nations vntouched & reuerenced.
1666 R. Boyle Origine Formes & Qualities 112 The Rudiments of the Chick..is nourish'd..onely by the White of the Egg... In effect you may see the Chick furnish'd not onely with all the necessary, but divers other parts,..whilst the Yolk seems yet as it were untouch'd.
1690 J. Dryden Don Sebastian v. ii. 121 Untouch'd, and Seal'd as when intrusted with me, Such I restore it [sc. a paper].
1735 J. Thomson Greece: 2nd Pt. Liberty 246 Then stood untouch'd the solid base Of Liberty, the Liberty of Mind.
1749 S. Johnson Vanity Human Wishes 5 Untouch'd his Cottage, and his Slumbers sound, Tho' Confiscation's Vulturs clang around.
1820 P. B. Shelley Hope, Fear, & Doubt 9 Nor did I hope to pass Untouched by suffering, through the rugged glen.
1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. I. 317 We landed at the point where we left our life-boat a year ago, and to our great joy found it untouched!
1890 C. Oman Hist. Greece 303 The plague had left the rest of Greece almost untouched.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > virginity > [adjective] > virginal
unknowna1382
maidena1400
untouchedc1400
undefiledc1450
virginal1483
indeflore?a1513
maidenly1530
undeflowereda1533
virginly1548
untwight1558
virgin1560
unravished1563
undeflore1568
unexperta1586
virgin-like1586
vestal1595
virgineous1607
virginian1613
unseduceda1616
indevirginate?1624
zoned1726
virgie1930
unlaid1962
c1400 Found. St. Bartholomew's 49 She skapid vntowchid.
1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) iii. 296 Yet that maydes wombe is alway vntowched.
1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) ii. 171 O vntouwched mother of the kynge of peace.
1577 H. I. tr. H. Bullinger 50 Godlie Serm. I. i. vii. sig. D.viiv/2 The vntouched Virgine Marie.
1621 M. Wroth Countesse of Mountgomeries Urania 343 Shee loues the Prince of Iambolly much better then the King;..yet on my conscience shee is vntouched, and iust to her Husband.
a1649 W. Drummond Hist. James II in Wks. (1711) 31 The Earl..sought..to have her in Marriage, alledging her untouched of his Brother.
1680 Earl of Mulgrave & J. Dryden tr. Ovid in J. Dryden et al. tr. Epist. 155 Rude force might some unwilling Kisses gain, But that was all he ever cou'd obtain... Untouch'd the Youth restor'd me to my Friends.
c. Not used at all, left intact; esp. not partaken of, untasted.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > non-use > [adjective]
unused1398
uncorea1400
unoccupied?a1439
unspendedc1440
unspent1466
undispendeda1483
untouched1538
unexpended1571
spared1580
fallow1588
unemployed1600
untasted1609
unenjoyed1643
unhandled1826
unutilized1868
inutilized1874
1538 T. Elyot Dict. Illibatus, vntouched, vntasted.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 36 [Lupines] for the bitternesse thereof whyle it is greene, they [sc. cattle] leaue vntouched.
a1589 L. Mascall Bk. Cattell (1596) 69 Cattell..leaue many tufts of grasse here and there vntouched.
1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 303 Choosing rather..to send away whole dishes vntouched, than other commers vnbidden to call for more viands.
1666 Earl of Orrery Coll. State Lett. (1742) 184 The 10,000 l. stock..I humbly beg your grace will keep..untouched to answer a dead lift with.
1679 S. Pepys Mem. Royal Navy (1690) 8 A further Reserve [of Supplies] remain'd untoucht in Magazine.
1725 A. Pope tr. Homer Odyssey III. x. 447 Untouch'd before thee stand the cates divine.
1798 J. Naismith Agric. Clydesdale 93 The pastures are allowed to grow untouched, from..May to..August.
a1828 Arab. Nts. (1853) 328 A great quantity of provisions left untouched.
1839 W. M. Thackeray Fatal Boots Dec. That famous rum-punch..which she and my sisters left untouched.
1863 M. E. Braddon Aurora Floyd I. ii. 36 He had sent his dinner away untouched.
3. Not worked upon or at; not touched or treated by way of improvement, alteration, operation, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > [adjective] > unheeded, unregarded
unmissedc1440
unminded1546
unscanned1577
unheeded1611
untouched1726
unconned1737
ignored1848
untapped1889
1726 G. Leoni tr. L. B. Alberti Architecture I. 39/1 I am..for preserving the old Structures untoucht.
1736 T. Prince New Eng. Chronol. ii. ii. 231 The General Frame of Diocesan Episcopacy had no doubt remain'd untouched.
1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. & Art II. 778 In engraving upon copper, every part which is to be white must be left untouched.
1845 Encycl. Metrop. VI. 706/1 The mighty forests of America, untouched by human industry.
1862 Catal. Internat. Exhib., Brit. II. No. 3168 Untouched and coloured photographs.
1884 H. Thompson Tumours of Bladder 41 [He] found a large tumour, which, after consultation, was left untouched.
II. Not treated, affected, or paralleled.(b)1746 E. Haywood Female Spectator No. 24 (1748) IV. 319 They will needs have us take up the pen again, and promise to furnish us with a variety of topics yet untouched upon.1856 T. Carlyle Let. 28 Aug. in Corr. Emerson & Carlyle (1964) 514 I must end, in mid course; so much still untouched upon.
4. Not dealt with in discourse, etc.; not treated, written about, or spoken of; unmentioned. Also with upon.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > keeping from knowledge > [adjective] > not mentioned
unsaidc1000
untouchedc1380
untoldc1386
unreckoneda1425
undescrived1435
unrehearsedc1443
unrecitedc1487
unrecountedc1487
unspoken1487
unpronounced1496
unconfesseda1500
indiscussed1534
unmentioned1545
unpreachedc1555
unexpressed1561
unquoted1567
undescribed1575
unreported1576
unrepeated1577
uncited1581
unalleged1587
undelated1597
untalked1599
unspoke1608
unrelated1611
unuttered1651
unimparted1655
unlanguaged1677
uncommented1751
unchanted1820
unwhispered1821
unbreatheda1827
unpoetized1831
unenounceda1856
unvoiced1859
unworded1860
unstated1864
unadmitted1895
c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 362 Þus no þing untouchid in þis lawe shulde be dun or axid to do.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Josh. viii. 35 No thing..that Moyses comaundide, he left vntowchyd; but alle thingis he openyde [a1425 L.V. declaride] before al the multitude.
1532 T. More Confut. Tyndale in Wks. 609/2 Wherein whoso consider what I haue aunswered hym, shal..perceiue that it had been better for him to haue lefte that matter vntouched.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III iii. vii. 19 I..left nothing..Vntoucht, or sleightly handled in discourse. View more context for this quotation
1667 R. Boyle Origine Formes & Qualities (ed. 2) 293 The nature of our present discourse forbids me to leave it altogether untouch'd.
1697 C. Leslie Snake in Grass (ed. 2) 307 In his Answer..he passes this Section of their Diabolical Possessions, wholly untouch'd.
1793 W. Wordsworth Descr. Sketches Ded. ⁋4 I might have inscribed to you a description of some of the features... But the Alpine steeps of the Conway..remain yet untouched.
1841 W. Spalding Italy & Ital. Islands I. 150 The earliest progress of Grecian art..must here be left untouched.
1866 G. Stephens Old-Northern Runic Monuments I. i. p. vi The comparatively few hitherto almost untoucht and unredd older or Old-Northern Runic pieces.
1900 Handbk. Austral. Assoc., Melbourne 74 The aquatic worms are an untouched group.
5.
a. Not affected, modified, or influenced, esp. in a prejudicial or adverse manner.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > operation upon something > [adjective] > involving subjection to action or influence > affected or influenced > not
unvisited1548
untoucheda1586
unattained1613
inaffected1617
uninfluenced1735
unexcited1748
unaffected1830
unsolicited1857
unattacked1878
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Disc. Def. Earl of Leicester in Wks. (1923) III. 67 If awncient undouted and untouched nobility bee worthi to match with the most noble hows that can bee.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1593) v. f. 239v How can any lawes..be obserued if the lawe giuers, and lawe rulers, bee not helde in an vntouched admiration?
1696 M. Prior Ode to King 32 Be William's Life untouch'd, as is his Fame.
1699 R. Bentley Diss. Epist. Phalaris (new ed.) 232 In the third Verse..Mr. Stanley corrected it.., as appears by his Translation, utile; the other word he leaves untouch'd.
1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron I. i. ix. 29 I will shew you..That whatever was sound and good we leave untouched, and encourage it to grow in the Mind of Man.
1761 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy IV. xxix. 191 In the case cited,..where patrim [sic] is put for patris, filia for filij, and so on—as it is a fault only in the declension, and the roots of the words continue untouch'd.
a1763 W. King Polit. & Lit. Anecd. (1818) 163 Clodia..was descended from an old Patrician family... Her behaviour was modest, and her reputation untouched.
1894 H. Drummond Lowell Lect. Ascent of Man 182 [In North Queensland you] will find the child of Nature still untouched, and neither by intercourse nor imitation removed by one degree from the lowest savage state.
b. Not affected or prejudiced in mind or feeling; not biassed or moved by excitement or emotion; unmoved, undisturbed, calm.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > calmness > [adjective]
eveneOE
still1340
unperturbeda1450
unmovedc1480
quietful1494
lowna1500
calma1568
calmya1586
unpassionatea1586
smartless1593
reposeful1594
dispassionate1595
recollected1595
unaffectedc1595
unpassioned?1605
unpassionated1611
collecteda1616
tranquila1616
untouched1616
impassionate1621
composed1628
dispassioneda1631
tranquillous1638
slow1639
serene1640
dispassionated1647
imperturbed1652
unruffled1654
reposing1655
equanimous1656
perplacid1660
placate1662
equal1680
collect1682
cooled1682
posed1693
sedate1693
impassive1699
uninflamed1714
unexcited1735
unalarmed1756
unfanned1764
unagitated1772
undistraught1773
recollected1792
equable1796
unfussy1823
take-it-easy1825
unflurried1854
cool1855
comfortable1856
disimpassioned1860
tremorless1869
unpressured1879
unrippled1883
ice-cool1891
unrattled1891
Zen-likea1908
unrestless1919
steadyish1924
ataractic1941
relaxed1958
nonplussed1960
loose1968
Zenned-out1968
downtempo1972
mellowed1977
de-stressed1999
the mind > emotion > absence of emotion > [adjective] > emotionally unaffected
dead1340
unsmittenc1400
unmovedc1480
unkindleda1525
senseless1560
lumpish1585
unfired1590
unaffectedc1595
incapable1601
unsensible1611
insensible1615
untouched1616
impervious1618
unanswering1632
untransported1641
beauty-proof1676
insensate1726
unsusceptible1734
uninfluenced1735
unimbued1813
unsmote1814
unsusceptive1825
unalive1828
echoless1869
non-conducting1871
unsusceptible1872
irresponsive1886
affectless1912
1616 T. Adams Garden of Graces in Divine Herball 89 Some Sage, honest policie;..such as may stand with an vntouched conscience.
1697 J. Vanbrugh Æsop i. i Is it possible any thing that I am Father of, can be untouch'd with so much Merit?
1709 R. Steele & J. Swift Tatler No. 71 If a Man could be untouch'd at so warm an Accusation.
1748 S. Richardson Clarissa VII. i. 3 The roughest and most untouched creature that ever enter'd a sick man's chamber.
a1774 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued (1777) III. iv. 482 Every one proceeding by a softness and milkiness of temper, untouched by injuries, unmoved at offences.
a1807 W. Wordsworth Prelude (1959) v. 146 Think not that I could ever pass along Untouch'd by these remembrances.
1838 E. Bulwer-Lytton Alice I. i. x. 78 Her heart is as yet untouched;—if she can love you, may you deserve her affection.
1876 M. E. Braddon Joshua Haggard's Daughter II. 60 The young people were..untouched by the blighting influence of this aggrieved spinster.
6. Not equalled in respect of excellence or high character; unexampled, unparalleled.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being special or extraordinary > [adjective] > incomparable, unparalleled, or unique
unilicheOE
makelessc1225
unevenlyc1230
peerlessc1330
alonea1382
uncomparablea1382
unoverpassablea1382
solea1398
incomparable1412
sans-peer1426
nonpareilc1450
invincible1509
matchless1530
inimitable1531
unmatchable1544
unmatched1548
unpassable1563
alonely1567
inequivalent1568
mateless1570
unparagonized1578
only1581
fellowlessa1586
unimitablea1586
compareless1590
incompared1590
immatchless1595
unequalized1596
nonsuch1598
paragonless1599
immatchable1601
unparalleled1601
uncompeered1602
unpeered1602
imparalleled1604
unpeerable1604
unrivalled1607
uncompanioned1608
unexampled1610
unsurmountable1611
unsurpassable1611
unparagoned1612
patternless1613
unpatterned1617
unique1618
unparallelable1621
parallelless1622
unmatchless1623
single1633
unexemplifieda1634
unsampleda1638
unequalled1639
imparallel1641
unparallel1645
unseconded1646
unexemplary1649
unaccessional1651
unequalable1659
uncome-at-able1694
rivalless1735
untouched1735
unexcelleda1800
unexceeded1813
sans-pareilly1818
unsurpassed1818
unrivallable1823
unapproachable1834
untranscendeda1849
insuperable1849
unbrothered1853
unapproached1856
insurpassable1859
untouchable1867
hors concours1884
1735 J. Thomson Greece: 2nd Pt. Liberty 194 Greece in their view, and glory yet untouch'd, Their steady column..held its way Triumphant.
1878 A. B. Grosart in H. More Compl. Poems p. xxxiii I have been struck with the untouched perfection of all that arrests you in reading.
7. Not entered upon; not begun.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > [adjective] > (just) begun > not begun > not begun or not entered upon
untouched1876
1876 Coursing Cal. 21 The day finished at dusk, with only twenty-seven trials, leaving the all-aged stake untouched.
Derivatives
unˈtouchedness n.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > perfection > [noun] > freedom from violation or corruption
incorruptedness1653
untaintednessa1656
incorruptness1695
inviolacy1846
inviolateness1860
untouchedness1889
1889 R. Kipling From Sea to Sea (1899) i. xviii. 145 The utter untouchedness of the town was one-half the charm.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1926; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.c1380