v. [UN-2 6 c. b.]
1. trans. and refl. To deprive of natural character; to make unnatural in disposition.
a. 1613. Overbury, A Wife (1630), M vj. Religion is commonly his pretence of discontent, though he can be of all religions; therefore truely of none. Thus by vnnaturalizing himselfe [etc.].
1625. Laud, Serm., Wks. 1847, I. 69. In all that large discourse … Saint Paul … conceives at full how corruption can unnaturalize nature itself.
1651. Jane, Image Unbr., 62. Rebellion hath not vnnaturalized them.
a. 1656. Hales, Gold. Rem., I. (1673), 145. Here he strives, as it were, to unnaturalize himself, and lay by his natural sweetness of disposition.
1894. Daily News, 5 Oct., 6/5. None the less do they feel the sad influence of the mixed education that has … unnaturalised them.
2. To divest of the status or privileges of a native-born subject.
1698. Jer. Collier, Immor. Stage, vi. (1730), 157. Any Roman who turn’d Actor was … to be … as it were disincorporated, and unnaturalized.
1754. A. Murphy, Gray’s Inn Jrnl., No. 84. Mr. Arne … will apply for a private Bill to unnaturalize him, that he may then enjoy the Privileges of an Englishman.
1817. Parl. Deb., 1830. This petitioner prayed to be unnaturalized, or to be brought to trial.
3. To make unnatural or artificial. Also absol.
1741. Richardson, Pamela (1824), I. 6. It may disguise the facts,… and unnaturalize the incidents.
1767. Ann. Reg., Ess., 196/2. If they should thus endeavour to unnaturalize their singing, they would render it harsh.
1839. Darley, Beaum. & Fletcher’s Wks., I. Introd. p. xxv. Our poets … idealise farther than he; that is, they unnaturalise, often making beautiful chimeras of their virtuous characters.
Hence Unnaturalizing vbl. sb.
1647. N. Ward, Simple Cobler, 47. Such usurpations by Rulers, are the unnaturallizings of nature, disfranchisements of Freedome.
