Show Search Results Show Browse

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Unkindnes, -kyndnes, n. Also: unkindness, -kyndenes, -kendnes, wnkindnes, -kyndnes, -kendnes, onkindnes, -kyndnes. [ME and e.m.E. vnkendnes (Cursor M.), unkyndenes (Rolle), unkindenesse (Gower), vnkyndnes (c1400), vnkindnes (1594); Kindnes n.]

1. Action contrary to one's obligations of kinship or allegiance. c1420 Wynt. vi Prol. 47.
Thare personale successyowne That has ws in that fredwme sete Gywe it ware wilfully foryhete It wald be repute wnkyndnes [C., W. vnkyndnes]
a1538 Abell 4*b.
Cvmyn wes slan be Robert Brus for his vnkyndnes

2. The action or state of being unkind, lack of kindness or amity, hostility, enmity; harsh treatment, cruel or unfriendly behaviour.(a) c1439 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV 190.
Al wnkindnes wrangkis ande iniurris don be him … to my sayde Lorde of Mar
1456 Hay I 244/33.
The warld is fest in sik fremmyt unkyndenes that thai think na schame ilkane to begyle othir
c1475 Wall. ix 347 (1570) (see Unkindlines n.).
Vnkyndnes
1495 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 596.
[We] dischargis … the rankcour of ouir hartis and all wdir wnkyndnes for euirmair forgeiffis
c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 185/31.
Had I for warldis unkyndnes In hairt tane ony havines … I had bene deid lang syne
1511 Reg. Privy S. I 351/1.
Thair is dedlie feid, unkyndnes and dedlie inmite … betwixt [etc.]
1544 Boyd Fam. P. No. 24 (13 Oct.).
It salbe lefull to ather of thame to persew thare richts be the law befor quhatsumeuir juge competent plesandlie quhilk salbe na vnkindnes betuix the saidis partiis
1567 G. Ball. 153.
Thay nalit my bodie … Thay did me mony greuis Till vnkyndnes did keill me
a1570-86 Maitl. F. 161/53.
Vnkyndnes by past may nocht be forȝet
1570–1 Corr. M. Lorraine 443.
I marvell gretly of your lordship unkyndnes, that … nodir send nor yit com your self to advertys me of your … weilfair
1587 Warrender P. (SHS) II 39.
And now to be so lightlyit and not resaif an answer, thai did tak it for great unkyndnes
1611-57 Mure Early Misc. P. iii 10.
Sall I match hir wnkyndnes by prowing wngrait?
1637 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 276.
I was far mistaken who should have summoned Christ for unkindness
(b) c1439 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV 190.
Wnkendnes
1570 Leslie 185.
Ewin and Ronald was heidit and … sindre utheris … hangit, and so receaved just and dew punishment for thair unkendnes
(c) 1513 Doug. i Prol. 441.
Ene maid nevir aith … with hir [sc. Dido] fortill abyde Thus … nane onkyndnes [Sm. vnkyndnes, Ruddim. vnkindnes] schew forto depart
1606 Laing MSS 107.
I desire infinitlei my brother to have a wyfe, yet I soulde be sorri he soulde be one to dow yow any onkindnes
1639 Baillie I 241.
If your diligenc be aunsuerable to my desir, expect writen thankes; if not, I shall in quiett silenc regrait your onkyndnes

You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.

"Unkindnes n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 29 Mar 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/unkindnes>

46434

dost

Hide Advanced Search

Browse DOST:

    Loading...

Share: