Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

Unlesum, -leisum(e, adj. Also: unlessum(e, -lesome, -leissum, -leisome, -lisome, -leifsum, wnlesum, onlesum. [Lesum adj. Also in the later dial.]

1. Of a thing, action, etc.: Unlawful; forbidden, prohibited (to someone); illicit; reprehensible. = Unlauchful(l adj.(a) a1400 Leg. S. x 10.
Lewy … as a tollare thare wes sate, Vnlessume wynnynge for to get a1400 Leg. S. xxxii 218.
Sa fere as scho wes in wil Vnlesum lust [for] to fulfil c1500-c1512 Dunb. 293/17 (M).
Thir merchandis takis vnlesum win, Quhilk makis thair pakkis oftymes full thin 1531 Bell. Boece (M) II 407.
Leir kingis … That nocht be done without thair honour saif, Sekand na conques be wnlesum wanys 1551 Hamilton Cat. 10.
Strikars of unlesum counȝe 1562 Edinb. B. Rec. III 134.
That on na wys ye permit nor suffer this yeir ony sic as Robene Hude or Litil Jhonne to be chosin, nor that ony vther vnleissum gammis … quhilk may disquiet the communitie 1567 Reg. Morton I 18.
He ceassit not be all wayes and unleissum meanis to seduce hir grace 1567 Anderson Collect. Mary I 131.
Unleisume [Reg. Privy C. I 520, unlesum] 1574 Bk. Univ. Kirk I 308.
All sick persons so joynit in that slanderous and vnleisum band, [sc. adultery] to separate themselves and abstaine fra vther a1586 Maitland Ho. Seytoun 40.
Vnlessum 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Champert.
Ane bud or gift taken be onie greate man … for delay of iust actiones [etc.] … is vnlesum and forbidden 1597 Crim. Trials II 28.
Scho was giltie of his death, be hir craft, ministring to him vnlessum thingis, quhairof he deit suddenlie 1599 Elgin Rec. II 73.
All unlesum pastymes on Monondayes to be abolished c1610 Melville Mem. 164.
Vnlesome(b) c1552 Lynd. Mon. 5104.
And sum, for thare vnleifsum actis, Ar rent and rewin apone the ractis 1566 Reg. Privy S. V ii 203/2.
Sercheouris of all and quhatsumevir uncustumat and but cokkettis and unleifsum, forbidden and prohibit guidis [etc.](c) 1581 Hamilton Facile Tr. in Cath. Tr. (STS) 235/31.
How mony young wemen, … hes murtherit the fruict of thair auin wombes, some be vnlisome drinkis(d) 1513 Doug. viii viii 109.
So gret a pepill … forto down thryng Onlesum [Sm., Ruddim. Vnlesum] is till ony Italyane 1513 Doug. xi iv 98.
Na lust to lyf langar seyk I; Onlesum [Ruddim. Vnlesum] war syk plesour I set by 1513 Doug. xii Prol. 210.
Sum to hant bawdry and onlesum [Ruddim. vnleifsum] meyn a1578 Pitsc. I 140/10.
Appeirit werie on lesum [1728 unleisome] to money of the counsall … to put hand in ane lewand prince 1596 St. A. Baxter Bks. 61.
Quhill he find cautioun he sall newir bak onlesum meat bot sic as be nychtbouris meat of the toun

2. Of a person: That is subject to some legal sanction or ban. 1591 Perth Kirk S. in Lawson Bk. Perth 199.
Being accused as special resetters … and receivers of idle beggars … and sic other unleisome persons … besides unleisomely placing and putting together in beds unmarried and unleisome persons 1600 Hamilton Facile Tr. 399.
How mekil mair aucht thay … preserue thame selfis from al fleschlie actions with vnlisome persons