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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.

Unwarnist, ppl. adj. Also: unwarnyst, -varnist, wnwarnyst, on(a)warnyst, -varnist. [Late ME and e.m.E. vnwarnished (c1430), vnwernyschit (Cath. Angl.); Warnis v.]

1. Of persons: Unendowed; unprovided. ?1438 Alex. ii 6082.
And gif thay sagait varnist be, Vnvarnist ar we nocht, parde!

2. Unprepared; unforewarned.(a) c1420 Wynt. ii 1544.
As he come on thaim wnpurwayde, Wnwarnyst [W. Vnwarnyst] and all wnarayid 1456 Hay II 112/12.
Thai suld pas that felloun wynter with lesse … disese na it had cummyn apon thame sudaynly unwarnist(b) 1513 Doug. viii iv 143.
Cacus … fund onwarnyst by this lycht suddane, Quhar he was closyt in a cave of stane 1513 Doug. x xii 110.
Syk ane fleand to wond into the bak, Onawarnyst [Sm. Onwarnyst, Ruddim. Unwarnist] quhen he na defens mycht mak

b. At onvarnist, unawares. 1570 Leslie 211.
The ennemeis … in purpois to cum apoun him at onvarnist, wer now at hand to worke thair faut

3. Of an event: Unannounced, occurring without notice or warning given. 1533 Bell. Livy I 123/9.
Lat ws … vesy be quhat ingynis & exercicions … oure wyiffis ar presentlie occupijt; and that to be apprisit allanerlie quhilk apperis to oure sichtis in oure vnwarnist cummyng