a. (UN-1 7 and 5 b.)

1

1691.  Norris, Pract. Disc., 297. To be selfish and straitlaced, niggardly and covetous, reserved and uncommunicative.

2

1730.  Swift, Dean’s Reasons, 43. Whose uncommunicative heart Will scarce one precious word impart.

3

1756.  Cowper, Wks. (1837), XV. 285. Our nation has, indeed, been generally supposed to be of a sullen and uncommunicative disposition.

4

1807.  G. Chalmers, Caledonia, I. Pref. p. vii. The scholars of Scotland remained inert, and uncommunicative of what they did not know.

5

1865.  W. G. Palgrave, Arabia, II. 296. We made sail … in company with some islanders, silent uncommunicative men.

6

  Hence Uncommunicativeness.

7

1748.  Richardson, Clarissa (1811), IV. 291. I might justify my secrecy and uncommunicativeness by her own.

8

1829.  Disraeli, in Monypenny, Life (1910), I. 122. Though generally accused of uncommunicativeness, I like a gentle chat with a friend.

9

1851.  Gallenga, Italy, i. 22. The Italians had given him blame for a dark simulation—which proceeded from sheer timidity and uncommunicativeness.

10