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: 1456, 1572-1605
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(Uncurtasy,) Uncurtesy, -courtasy, -courtes(s)ie, n. [ME and e.m.E. oncortesye (c1380), uncurtesie (c1400), vncourtesy (1523); Curtas(s)y n., Curtesie n., Courtasy n.] a. = Uncurtasnes n. b. To do (to someone) (an) uncurtesy, to inflict (an) insult or wrong on (another). —a. a1605 Montg. Sonn. lxv 8.
Vncourtessie comes aluayis of a cur —b. 1456 Hay I 159/6.
His maister aw to kepe him hale, and fere of his persone, that nane do him wrang, na uncourtasy of his persone [etc.] 1573 Reg. Privy C. II 215.
That nane tak upoun hand to do to thame … harme, greif, injurie, or uncourtesie, in bodiis or gudis — 1572 Cal. Sc. P. IV 379.
[Sundry complaints of] uncurtesyis [and injuries] allegit [done to them]
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"Uncurtasy n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 7 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/uncurtasy>
