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.
Quotation dates: 1490-1632
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Unconstrenȝeit, p.p. and ppl. adj. Also: unconstrenyt, -strainit, -strayned, onconstrenyt. [ME and e.m.E. vnconstreyned (Chaucer), vnconstrayned (1548), unconstrained (a1614); Constrene v.] a. p.p. Not under compulsion; voluntarily. b. ppl. adj. Freely chosen; not under compulsion. —a. 1490 Acts Lords Auditors 136/1.
In presens of the lordis … comperit personaly Alexander Spens … of his avne fre will vnconstrenȝeit 1499–1500 Acts Lords of Council II 348.
Of hir fre will unconstrenȝeit, coactit or compellit scho grantit that [etc.] 15.. Clariodus iv 2732.
I gif my kingdom and my croun Heir unto him … All unconstrainit, of my awin curage —(b) 1513 Doug. vii iv 25.
Onconstrenyt [Sm., Ruddim. vnconstrenyt] not be law bund thartill Bot be our inclinatioun and fre will Iust and equale —b. 1632 Lithgow Trav. i 7.
Thy voluntary wandring, and vnconstrayned exyle
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"Unconstrenȝeit p.p., ppl. adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/unconstren3eit>
