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.
(Unspekabill,) Unspeikabill, -able, Unspeakibill, -able, adj. [Late ME and e.m.E. vnspekeabill (a1400), vnspekeable (a1425), vnspekable (c1445), vnspeakeable (1534); Spek(e v.] a. Inexpressible, ineffable. b. In pejorative sense: Indescribable, unspeakable. —a. 1571 Ferg. Tracts 78.
O the … vnspeikabill cair that the Lord hes ouer vs 1622-6 Bisset II 177/20.
Unspeikable maiestie that … [no] tung or langaig can exprese 1609 Reg. Privy C. VIII 558.
As a recorde … of your Majesties benignitie and unspeakable affectioun borne to this estate —b. 1670 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS 16 Nov.
Throw … hir extraordinar druckennes … fyere fell to be raised in hir house to the great terrour of the haill toune and feare of most vnspeakibill danger and hazard
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"Unspekabill adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 28 Apr 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/unspekabill>
