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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Restles, adj. [ME and e.m.E. restles, resteless (Chaucer), also risteles, OE restleas; Rest n.¹ Cf. Restlesadv.]

1. Of persons or animals: Constantly active; taking no rest; full of energy; eager; persistent. a1500 Rauf C. 819.
Thir riche restles renkis ruschit out full raith c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) 143/80.
The restles suallow commandit scho also To feche all fowll 1536 Lynd. Answ. Flyting 36.
Thocht ȝe rin rudelie lyke ane restles ram a1568 Bann. MS I p. 39/19.
O restles ȝowth he hait and vitious 1599 Reg. Privy C. VI 41.
Certane malicious and restles bodyis quha upoun everie licht occasioun … misinterpreitis his hienes gude intentionis

2. Of immaterial things: Continuous, unceasing. a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 1214 (Asl.).
The rage is euer restles but quyete c1552 Lynd. Mon. 386.
Tiddious restles besynes Bot ony maner of sickarnes a1568 Bann. MS 50a/4.
For fra the tyme of our natiuitie Fast vnto deid a restles rink we rin a1650 Row 156.
Their malicious ingyns in conspyreing aganis Kirk, King [etc.] … is restles

b. Deprived of repose; uneasy. 1513 Doug. iv Prol. 24.
Ȝour quyet is restles, Ȝour lust lykyng in langour to remane