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.
(Unclerenes,) Unclearness(e, n. [18th c. Eng. unclearness (1718); Clerenes n.] a. Lack of clearness or transparency, obscurity. Cf. Unclere adj. 1. b. Uncertainty, doubt. Cf. Unclere adj. 4. —a. a1658 Durham Comm. Rev. 665.
From this unclearnesse it ariseth that it is hotly disputed 1669 Edinb. B. Rec. X 60.
To perambulat the quholl merches of the toune … and report quhat abuses they find or unclearness in the merches —b. 1662 Sel. Biog. I 219.
If I should take time to advise, it would import that I have unclearness, or hesitation, which I have not
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"Unclerenes n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 25 Apr 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/unclerenes>
