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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.

(Unmete,) Unmeit(t, adj. (adv.) Also: unmeet(e, wnmeit, onmeit, -met. Compar. unmeitar, -meatar. [ME and e.m.E. unmete (c1175), unmeete (Gower), onmeete (15th c.), unmeet (c1555), OE unmǽte; Mete adj.¹]

A. adj. 1. Unequal; unevenly matched. 1513 Doug. ii xi 76.
Lytil Julus grippis me by the hand With onmeit [Sm. wnmeit, Ruddim. vnmeit] pays his fader fast followand

2. Unsuitable, inappropriate; unsuited, unfit(ted) (for, of, to or to do something): a. Of persons. b. Of things.a. 1569 Reg. Privy C. I 675.
My Lord Regentis Grace … hes fund the saidis personis … unmeit [Bk. Univ. Kirk I 142, unmeet] to haif cure of the instructioun of the yowth 1570 Leslie 8.
Nocht takand upon me to wreitt ane historie, for I knowe weill quhow unmeit I am thairto 1579 Acts III 178/2.
To displace vnqualifijt and vnmeit personis to dischairge thair offices in the saidis vniuersities 1581 Calderwood III 547.
It is not tolerabil to … geve these places and uthers benefices of new to als unmeit men or rather unmeitar, quha ar not myndit to serve in the kirk bot leife an idle lyfe 1607 Lett. & St. P. Jas. VI 108.
Vnmeete c1610 Melville Mem. 390.
They wer wyse men, learnit and politik the vnmeater that they wer chesers of them selues 1622-6 Bisset I 109/12.
That men unmeit of any suiche calling suld nocht presume to be suittaris for preferment c1680 W. Row Blair 302.
Mr. Blair, though now infirm and unmeet for travelb. 1568 Inv. Q. Mary c.
Thaireftir the pulder wes placit, being ane unmeit place for a prince to luge in twa nychtis 1571 Bann. Trans. 297.
I have sindrie thingis … not vnmeit for that purpose 1581–2 Reg. Privy C. III 464.
His majesties cunyiehous besyde Halyrudehous is presentlie ruynous, unmeit for working of the said work c1590 Fowler II 59/1.
This is superstitioun vnmeit for the Kirk of Christ 1608 Douglas Corr. 193.
Glasgow … is ane place verie vnmeit for me … for recowerie of my helthe 1645 St. A. Presb. 27.
Ensnareing themselves in vnmeit mariages 1667–70 Lauder Jrnl. 178.
My saddle proved so unmeit for the horse back that it turned perpetually with me(b) 1580 Misc. Spald. C. II 111.
As to his manner of clething … I think it will nocht be on meit to be in blak 1587 Aberd. Council Lett. I 17.
Thair is sindrie bak posternes within the samen onmeit to be within burgh 1590 Conv. Burghs I 325.
Seuerall burrowes hes seuerall … customis found onmeit be his Maiestie to be alterit … without guid aduyse 1590 Conv. Burghs I 333.
Onmet

B. adv. Unfittingly; unkindly. 1577 Reg. Morton I 88.
It may sa fall out that as thay deale with ws sa may thay be delt with in tyme als vnmeitt be thair new freindship