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uncircumcised

uncircumcised

1 9.9
Used in older writing to mean someone rude or not having much culture
  • adjective
  • /ˌʌnˈsɜr.kəm.saɪzd/
  • Offensive
translation icon : incircunciso
  • By contrast, the cinquecento colossi of Florence's Piazza della Signoria appeared proudly uncircumcised, even Michelangelo's David, a subject where it would have been appropriate.

Examples

  • - Death to the uncircumcised!

  • In a most dramatic dialogue while planning the liberation of the Jews, Moses (who was supposed to have had a speech impediment) suddenly uttered, "Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh harken unto me?"

    Academic text (1996)
  • Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised.

    Blog text (9)
  • Thanks for joining us Jordan for the Uncircumcised segment.

  • And he's like, yeah, He's like, you're gonna let this uncircumcised philistine just sit here and disrespect us?

  • There is only one thing that we would now point out from this passage: in v.10 it is said of him, "Thou shalt die the deaths of the uncircumcised," which is a very strong hint that he ought not to die the deaths of the "uncircumcised" because he belonged to the Circumcision!

    Blog text (6)
  • There is only one thing that we would now point out from this passage: in v.10 it is said of him, "Thou shalt die the deaths of the uncircumcised," which is a very strong hint that he ought not to die the deaths of the "uncircumcised" because he belonged to the Circumcision!

    Blog text (6)
  • They used derogatory language about uncircumcised men to refer to Raila Odinga, whose Luo ethnic group did not engage in the practice of circumcision.

    Academic text (2009)
  • "Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean."

    Blog text (5)
  • Many considered his behavior uncircumcised, lacking the tact and refinement expected in polite society.

Synonyms

uncivilized
vsuncircumcised
  • Offensive
16 5.9

Showing little social or cultural development and often acting rude and violent

is an archaic figurative term for personal lack of refinement
uncouth
vsuncircumcised
  • Offensive
10 8.4

Not polite or well behaved in a rough way

is more about broad cultural lack and moral insensitivity in figurative use
unmannered
vsuncircumcised
1 7.2

Not showing good manners toward others

is archaic and refers to personal lack of refinement and moral feeling
noncivilized
vsuncircumcised
  • Offensive
9.1

A society that has little culture or social development

is used archaically to mean personal rudeness and moral insensitivity

Antonyms

29 4.3

Advanced in social and cultural development and polite in behaviour

5 5.1

A person who likes and understands art, music, and books

How Refined

civilized
29 4.3
refined
  • Formal
4 4.1
cultured
5 5.1
uncouth
  • Offensive
10 8.4
uncircumcised
  • Offensive
1 9.9
uncultured
  • Offensive
3 5.6
barbaric
61 6.3

Surface Forms

uncircumcised positive

Morphology

uncircumcised = circumcised (opaque) = un + circumcise + ed

This figurative or archaic sense ('lacking refinement' or 'uncivilized') is not derivable from the medical sense of 'circumcised' and reflects a historical/figurative shift.

Etymology

In older language, uncircumcised was used as an insult to mean someone 'unclean' or 'not part of the group' because circumcision was a sign of belonging in some religions. That's why the word could be used to say someone was rude or 'lacking culture'.