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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.

Unsem(e)ly, -seimlie, adj. Also: unsemelie, -seamely, -seam(e)lie, -seemly, -seem(e)lie, vnsymle, wnsemly, -seimly, -seemlie, onsemly. [ME and e.m.E. unsemly (a1300), unsemely (Rolle), on-semely (Prompt. Parv.), vnseemely (c1445), unseemlie (1581); Semely adj.]

1. Unpleasing to the eye, unsightly.(a) 1375 Barb. v 407.
Meile & malt & blud & wyne … all to-gidder in a mellyne That was wnsemly [C. (MS) vnsymle] for to se 1609 Acts IV 421/2.
Hald me excusit for my vnsemely letter quhilk is nocht sa weill writtin as mister wer(b) 1513 Doug. viii iv 171.
Than mycht be seyn This mirk dungeoun and onsemly [Sm. vnsemely, Ruddim. unsemely] hald

2. Improper; indecent; inappropriate; unfitting. Also const. to. Also proverb.(1) a1400 Leg. S. xxi 659.
Sayand, vnsemly ware to se Cristine man begare to be 1579 Reg. Privy C. III 190.
He … revyled the … assemblie … with … unsemelie and outragious wordis 1607 Dundonald Par. Rec. 142.
He wes not myndit to marie hir becaus of vnsemelie thingis he fand with hir(b) 1575 Bk. Univ. Kirk I 335.
Anent the apperraling of the Ministry … the Assembly … thinke all kynd of brodering vnseimlie(c) 1560 Bk. Disc. 236.
We judge it unseamlie … that ministeris shall be burdeit in commoun aill-housses a1585 Polwart Flyt. 48 (T).
Recanting thy vnseamelie [H. wnseemlie] sawis 1615 Highland P. III 208.
Heiring the said George vnseamelie langwage 1657 Rothesay B. Rec. 13.
Anent the mutinie and unseamely cariadges … betuixt Agnis Fraser spouse to Johne Ker … and James Robisone(d) 1651 Cramond Presb. Fordyce 25.
To abstaine from … base or unseemlie expressiones, and to labor to have things rightlie worded 1659 Rothesay Par. Rec. 14.
The Session considering the vnseemly custome of leaveing above ground the bones quhilk they dig vp when they hock the grave 1691 Cramond Kirk S. III 5 Feb.
The minister asked … if he at any time had seen them in ane unseemly manner?(e) 1513 Doug. iv Prol. 10.
Ȝour fykkil seyd … Rutyt in delyte … Nurist with sleuth and mony onsemly [Sm. vnsemelie, Ruddim. vnsemly] saw 1513 Doug. x x 90.
Sic wordis vayn and onsemly [pr. omsemly; Ruddim. vnsemelie] of sovnd Furth … warpys wyde this Lyger fulychly(2) 1606 Rollock's Thess. 183.
Any thing that is vnsetting, or vnseemlie to this Christian callingproverb. 1621-40 Melville Commonpl. Bk. 5.
Honor is als wnseimly for a foolle as it is for a sow to wear a saidle

b. Of animals: Offensive in their nature or habits. 1654 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 143.
Ane great number of swyne, old and young, which being ane unseemelie kynd of beast, [etc.]