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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.

Un(a)wars, adv. Also: unawarr(i)s, -awares, -aworse, un-a-warse, unwar(r)is, -warse, -vars, wnawarrs, -aworse, onawarse, on a worse, onowarse. [ME and e.m.E. unȝewares (a1200), vnwaris (14th c.), vnawarres (1535), vnawares (1548), late OE unwares, f. as Unawar,adv.]

1. Without intimation or warning on the part of the instigator of an action; without the victim being aware of the impending action against him. Also, at unawars.(1) c1579 Sc. N. & Q. 2 Ser. I 161.
The Forbesses shott him vnawars 1590 Crim. Trials I ii 188.
For the hurting and wounding of James Boyd of Kippis behind his bak, and vn-a-warse 1681 Colvil Whig's Suppl. (1681) Sig. A 5b.
The more moderat put money unaworse in the pocket of my coat(b) 1626 Garden Worthies 111.
This witnes'd was when wnawarrs invaded, Thy fortitude nought att thy faling faded(c) 1615 Melrose P. 215.
He took perforce a young youth … on a worse, and keepes him still in custodie c1615 Chron. Kings 116.
Com wpone him onawarse c1615 Chron. Kings 151.
Onowarse 1678 Edinb. B. Rec. X 348.
The saids clerks … [have] had a competent tyme to … deliberat upon there defensses and not surprysed and taken onawarse(2) 1588 Bk. Univ. Kirk II 742.
Apprehended at unawares, and punished c1590 Fowler II 25/1.
I … suddenly was onbeset & at vnwaris inuadit be him c1590 J. Stewart 234 § 139.
Vnvars a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1825) 96.
As thoght thay sould have interceptit him within the toun, at unawarris 1600-1610 Melvill 267.
That … the first sort sould be chargit to warde; the second apprehendit at unawars 1626 Aberd. B. Rec. III 3.
Unwarse c1650 P. Gordon Brit. Dist. 173.
Wnaworse a1651 Calderwood V 3.
Unwars 1651 Lamont Diary 34.
Unawarrs

2. Unintentionally, inadvertently. 1619 Perth Kirk S. MS 14 Sept.
Haueing ȝisterday enterit vnwarris the ministeris way menand no wayis to offend him