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: 1460, 1513-1535
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Unfery, -feire, Onfery, adj. [ME vn-fere (Layamon), unfer (c1250), OE unfére, ON ú-, ófœ́rr; Fery adj., Fere adj.1 Also, as unfeary, -fiery, onfeirie (etc.), in the later dial.] Weak, infirm. —(a) 1460 Hay Alex. 12285.
His memberis crukit and vnfery ar, Men doutis that he recover neuer mare 1535 Stewart 57138.
Cruikit he wes, vnfeire of his cors … That he with eis micht nother gang no ryde —(b) 1513 Doug. x xiv 70.
Thocht the violens of hys sair smart Maid hym onfery [Ruddim. unfery], ȝit hys stalwart hart And curage ondekeit was gude in neid
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"Unfery adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 12 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/unfery>
