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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.

Unset, p.p. and ppl. adj. Also: unsett, onset(t. [ME and e.m.E. vnset (Chaucer), vnsett (c1445), onsett (1476); Set v.]

1. p.p. Not seated (at table). (Set v. 1.) a1500 Rauf C. 146 (see Unsemand ppl. adj. (1)).
Vnset

2. Not let or leased out: a. p.p. b. ppl. adj. (Set v. 7.)a. 1428 Wemyss Chart. 57.
Gyf it hapnis that throw … necligence … the saltpanis lyis idill or vnset … it sal be leful … the malis of thame to sayse and … distrenȝe 1480 Acta Conc. I 70/2.
Land … haldin of our souuerain lorde & fre vnset for termes or formale & vnwedset 1515 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 158.
The toun to hald the commoun mylnis and proffeittis thairof … into thair awin handis vnset 1580–1 Reg. Privy C. III 358.
To warrand the same [sc. bishopric rents] unsett, sauld, assignit or disponit to utheris 1682 Edinb. B. Rec. XI 60.
Finding that the sheip flecks at the publict rowp wes unsett 1682 Peebles B. Rec. II 102.
The great abuses that are committed … by the common grass being unsett 1691 Glasgow B. Rec. IV 4.
There being threttein seats unset(b) 1503 Orkney Rentals i 60.
Nocht bot the scattis & the land onset 1562 Reg. Cupar A. I 356.
Of ferme onset for syluer of the temporall landis of Couperb. 1557 Sutherland Bk. III 121.
Octo solidos lie pleuch siluir … tre mertas lie vnset mertis(b) 1614 Orkney Rentals ii 119.
Corniquoye … in onsett gersumes

3. Not fixed or attached, loose. (Set v. 12.) 1595 Edinb. Test. XXVIII 233b.
Ane litstaris … sax skyis [? = skeins] of new vnwrocht & vnset tazelis price of ilk sky iij li.

4. Not placed or mounted in a setting. (Set v. 34.) 1488 Treas. Acc. I 84.
In a clovt nyne precious stanis vnsett 1554 Acts II 601/1.
Precius stanis baith sett in ringis … and abilȝementis … or ȝit vnsett

5. Const. out: Not expressed in writing. (Set v. 75 c.) 1571 Bann. Memor. 207.
The Englishe resolutiounes … leive nothing vnsett out, tending to … make the duke of Northfolke odious

6. At unset stevin, see Stevin n.³ b.