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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Undecent, adj. Also: wn-, ondecent. [e.m.E. vndesent (1546), undecent (1559); Decent adj.]

1. Unbecoming, unseemly; improper, indecent. = Indecent adj.(a) 1573-1600 Burne Disput. in Cath. Tr. 172/5.
Ane change from that quhilk keipit your vomankynd in al vomanlie grauitie … from a decent feirfulnes conuenient to thair kynd … To ane vndecent hardines 1583 Edinb. B. Rec. IV 295.
Gif ony persoun … iniure his nychtbour be malicious and vndecent wourds importing sclander and offence 1586 Gray Lett. & P. 91.
That noe imodest minester should be tollerated to preach, leste they might haue used some vndecent speach 1613 Conv. Burghs II 429.
Giff any of the merchants … ludging in the consergerie hous … vse any incivile behauiour or ryote, or be any way vndecent, they sall pay to the pure according to the faltis 1663 Dumbarton B. Rec. 82.
Members of counsell hes conveined in counsell in ane very undecent manner, by coming without hats 1666 Butler Leighton 377.
The irreverent deportment they have generally contracted in publick worshipe, particularly … their most undecent sitting at prayer 1676 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 219.
The said Margaret still continues … rejoiceing in her wickednes and … still mocks me and my wyfe in ane undecent maner 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. i xi 14 (1699) 66.
It was undecent to allow women the use of arms 1683 Lauder Observes 115.
A scandal against … on of the ministers of Edinburgh of unmodest and undecent carriage towards Mistris Euphame Scot(b) 1619 Perth Kirk S. MS 10 May.
James Wricht graif maker being accuseit for his ondecent behauiour … execuseit that he did as besyde him self of drink

2. Indecorous; unattractive; offensive to the eye. 1633 Linlithgow B. Rec. 25 May.
The hous besyid the palace callit the song skoill is verie wndecent and wncomelie being so neir the kingis palace 1670 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 270.
[They] did kill ther fleshes … and … hing out the same befor and under staires, towards the foir street, which wes verie vndecent to be seene 1682 Lanark B. Rec. 210.
The burgh is verie undecent throw the want of ports