ppl. a. [UN-2 8.]
1. Not ordered to be done or observed.
14[?]. Chaucer’s Parl. Foules, 518. (Camb. MS.). For office vncommaundet full ofte anoyth.
1538. Bale, Thre Lawes, 1682. In vayne offer yow that vncomnaunded seruyce.
1594. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., IV. vii. § 5. Except the one doe auoid whatsoeuer Rites and Ceremonies vncommanded of God the other doth embrace.
1643. Let. from Grave Gentleman, 3. The People, engaged … under Pretence of an uncommanded protestation.
1692. South, Serm. (1697), I. 39. Those affected, uncommanded, absurd Austerities,… exercised by some of the Romish Profession.
1723. Atterbury, Serm. (1726), I. x. 352. They were, I say, Uncommanded Instances of Virtue.
1794. Mrs. Piozzi, Synon., II. 323. Such uncommanded seclusion is evil for society.
2. Not ordered to do something.
1534. More, Comf. agst. Trib., III. Wks. 1224/1. That they maye … commaunde and controlle other menne, and liue vncommaunded them selfe.
a. 1586. Sidney, Arcadia, V. (1598), 449. Pardon me most honoured Iudge, saith he, that vncommaunded I begin my speech vnto you.
1646. Earl Monm., trans. Biondi’s Civil Warres, VI. 54. Lewis after this commanded his men to retire; and Edwards men forthwith withdrew uncommanded.
a. 1667. Cowley, On Death W. Hervey, i. My eyes with Tears did uncommanded flow.
a. 1716. Blackall, Wks. (1723), I. 133. If any private Soldier quits his Station, and runs himself uncommanded upon a dangerous Adventure, he deserves Reproof.
3. Not dominated or overlooked (by something).
1693. Mem. Cnt. Teckely, III. 56. Being seated upon an inaccessible Rock uncommanded,… a few Men might be able to defend it against a great Army.
1821. Byron, Sardanap., V. i. The river’s broad and swoln, and uncommanded … by these besiegers.
1829. Scott, Anne of G., xx. It was in a corner,… uncommanded by any of the angles of the fortification.
Hence Uncommandedness.
1646. Hammond, Tracts, Pref. Perswading themselves and others … that the uncommandednesse of any thing induces that excesse.
