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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.

Unthrifty, -ie, adj. Also: wnthrifty, onthrifty, -thryfty, onethrefty. [ME and e.m.E. vnthryfty (Chaucer), onthryfty (1388), vnthrifty (Hoccleve), vnthriftie (1579); Thrifty adj.]

1. Of a person: Wasteful, prodigal, extravagant, passing into: Foolish, misguided.(a) c1460 Consail Vys Man 88.
For wysmen sais secret inwy Makis mony enwyus wnthrifty a1500 Colk. Sow i 100.
A skeg, a scornar, a skald … An vnthrifty dapill man 1560 Rolland Seven S. 1551.
This ȝoung plant is ȝour awin vnthriftie air, Ȝow to distroy he castis him euer mair 1581 Sat. P. xliv 185.
Vatson, the monk, vnthriftie campion 1633 Rutherford Christ's Napkin 12.
I came not here to bide any body be unthrifty(b) 1513 Doug. ix x 26.
Or quhat onthrifty [Ruddim. vnthryfty] God in sic foly Hes ȝou bywavit heir till Italy?

2. Of things, states, conditions, etc.: That prevent thriving; disadvantageous, unprofitable; wasteful.(a) 1456 Hay II 120/3.
Unthrifty maladies, as feveres, fluxis, perleseis … quhilkis corrumpis and destroyis mannis nature and bringis till end beforetyme 1584 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. I 324.
Andro Lesly … exponit that during his les age and minoritie … he haid burdenit him selff with diuers unthriftie and unprofitabill burdenis 1639 Breadalbane Lett. No. 758.
I hope I haif made very few vnthriftie barganes(b) c1500 Makc. MS xiv 55.
Wod … Of al onethrefty exill [v.r. evill] the masteras, That is to say dyce playaris & hassartoris 1513 Doug. ix Prol. 4.
Na vilyte, nor sic onthryfty sperkis 1513 Doug. xi vi 62.
Prouocand ȝou to movyng … Sa peralus, onkowth [pr. onknowth] and onthrifty [Ruddim. vnthrifty] wer? 1513 Doug. Direct. 50.
Thus haue I not my tyme swa occupy That all suld hald my laubour onthryfty [Ruddim. unthrifty]