A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1499-1626
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Importabil(l, -able, a. Also: -abyll. [ME. (Chaucer), e.m.E., and OF. importable, L. importābilis.] Too heavy to be carried or borne; chiefly fig., insupportable, unbearable. a1500 Henr. III. 174/58 (B).
With passing pouerty pryd is importable 1528 Lynd. Dreme 244.
Importabyll paine thay had, but confortyng 1531 Bell. Boece I. 31.
Gif we do sic importabil schame to our prince 1533 Id. Livy I. 118/28.
Tarquyne was gretumlie troublit for the importabill expens daly rising be this magnificent bigging 1555 Peebles B. Rec. 223.
[Unable] to sustene the importabill taxationes raisit vpone thame 1590 Rec. Convention of Royal Burghs I. 313.
Liklye to incur his maiesties wreth and importabill punisment 1609 Criminal Trials II. 577.
Befoir I sould ly ony longer vnder this most importable burding of his maiesteis heavie displeasour 1622-6 Bisset I. 49/29.
Mony importabill injuries and wrangis done to thame
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"Importabil adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/importabill>
