1691. Norris, Pract. Disc., 297. To be selfish and straitlaced, niggardly and covetous, reserved and uncommunicative.
1730. Swift, Deans Reasons, 43. Whose uncommunicative heart Will scarce one precious word impart.
1756. Cowper, Wks. (1837), XV. 285. Our nation has, indeed, been generally supposed to be of a sullen and uncommunicative disposition.
1807. G. Chalmers, Caledonia, I. Pref. p. vii. The scholars of Scotland remained inert, and uncommunicative of what they did not know.
1865. W. G. Palgrave, Arabia, II. 296. We made sail in company with some islanders, silent uncommunicative men.
Hence Uncommunicativeness.
1748. Richardson, Clarissa (1811), IV. 291. I might justify my secrecy and uncommunicativeness by her own.
1829. Disraeli, in Monypenny, Life (1910), I. 122. Though generally accused of uncommunicativeness, I like a gentle chat with a friend.
1851. Gallenga, Italy, i. 22. The Italians had given him blame for a dark simulationwhich proceeded from sheer timidity and uncommunicativeness.