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.
Unlikelynes, -lyklynes, Onlyklenes, n. [ME and e.m.E. vnliklynesse (Chaucer), vnlikelinesse (1561); Unlik(e)ly adj.] a. Unseemliness, unbecoming behaviour. b. The fact of being unpromising or unimpressive. —a. 1456 Hay I 190/21 (see Hay I 190/23 in Unlik(e)ly adj. 3).
Unlyklynes —(b) 1562 Aberd. Eccl. Rec. 8.
All suspect personis of adultery, quhair full probatioun can nocht be had, bot ane suspitioun risin throcht evill apperans and onlyklenes … to … forbeir the cumpany of tham with quhom thai ar suspect —b. 1460 Hay Alex. 13782.
Becaus that Alexander he saw Sa litill of cors sa docill and sa law … He lychleit him for his vnlikelynes
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"Unlikelynes n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 23 Apr 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/unlikelynes>
