[UN-1 12.] The state or fact of not being acquainted: a. Const. with.
1617. Hieron, Wks (1620), II. 380. Doe not cherish thy selfe in thy vnaccquaintednesse with this broken heart.
1682. Flavel, Fear, 115. We may be excused for our fears, by reason of our own unacquaintedness with sufferings.
1764. T. Hutchinson, Hist. Mass., i. (1765), 5. From unacquaintedness with the geography of the country.
1825–9. Mrs. Sherwood, Lady of Manor, II. xiv. 257. I have no doubt that I uttered many shocking avowals of my entire unacquaintedness with these things.
1851. I. Taylor, Wesley, 250. With our … unacquaintedness with the manners and habits of the lower classes.
b. With in, of, or without const.
1667. Inconveniences of Toleration, 6. It is nothing but unacquaintedness which makes them lyable to be so scared with all those terrible and groundless Stories.
1669. Earl Orrery, Parthen., III. v. 44. By their unacquaintedness in using of an Oar [they were] unable to Row.
1729. ‘Philalethes,’ Enq. Price Coals, 35. Sir William St——d, and Sir Charles T—-r, did no more than was expected from them, except what proceeded from an Unacquaintedness in some Part of this Affair, as when they did not distinguish, or know the Difference beetween [sic] a Wood-monger and a Lyghterman.
1748. Richardson, Clarissa (1811), II. xxxvii. 272. To what might not my youth, my sex, and unacquaintedness of the ways of that great, wicked town expose me?
