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

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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Sens(e)les, adj. Also: sens(e)lesse, senslis, senc(e)les(s. Superl. also senslest. [e.m.E. senslesse (1557), senselesse (1561), sencelesse (1579), sencles (1595); Sens(e n.]

1. Deprived of the use of one's senses; in a state of, or resembling, unconsciousness. Also transf. 1596–7 Misc. Spald. C. I 90.
The said Elspet … tuik ane extraordinar kynd of seiknes, and becom lyck ane deid sensles fuill 1597 James VI Dæmonol. (STS) 28/5.
By witnesses that haue seene their body lying senseles in the meane time 1633 Orkney Witch Trial in Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. V 545.
The said Elspet … contrakit ane deadlie disease in so farre that scho was senceles and myndles for ane long speace 1634 Reid Auchterarder 206.
For cureing … his sone of a grevous seiknes, quhilk made him senceles, dum and speichlestransf. 1634 Johnston Diary I 228.
Thou lay al Sunday, quhilk thou most confesse was the senslest Sunday thou passed since thy trouble

b. Of things: Incapable of feeling or experiencing sensation. c1590 Fowler I 292/53.
The very haggard stones And sensles bloks 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 174/8.
Men soulde not lyke senceles staines contemne God in lichleing the seasons 1611-57 Mure Early Misc. P. xiii 11.
Quhoise corps t'intomb, glaid ar the sensles stones 1581-1623 James VI Poems I 121/68.
In uerrie senceless [v.r. senselesse] stokkis of plantis

2. Lacking in sensibility; incapable of feelings or emotions; unaware of.(1) c1590 J. Stewart 19/167.
So stairing still he not ane vord expreimd Vith peirsit spreit transport in thocht profound As sensles vycht from all guid fortoune fleimd 1600-1610 Melvill 422.
I was even … almaist in a deadlie and sencles dispear 1616–17 Misc. Hist. Soc. X 98.
Let thy lyfe quicken our dead and sensles harts 1647 J. Hope Diary (1919) 138.
Being in a senselesse lithargicklyke dispositione(2) 1619 Cochran-Patrick Coinage I 291.
The ignorant multitude, who are senslis of their own harme

3. Of a person: Mentally incompetent, stupid, lacking reason or common sense. c1580 Misc. Spald. C. II 333.
I beleif your hienes … will neuir mene to coact or compel me to my barnis as ane sencles ideot voyd of discretioun and dewtie c1590 Fowler II 34/29.
Is thair any sa far from knawledge or sa dotish, sa sensles, or sa ignorant [etc.] 1635 Wodrow MSS in Hay Geneal. 101.
These that found him guiltie … Marshall was first that wandered from the light, A senslesse man could doe no moir by night

4. Of actions, words, a state of affairs, etc.: Meaningless; devoid of sense or reason. 1596 Dalr. II 471/12.
Another writeng sensles, ful of gukis and glaikis 1608 Reg. Privy C. VIII 78.
Thair is no greatair argument of dangeir and perrell nor when a sensles securitie is generallie apprehendit