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: 1475-1599
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Unsoft, Wn-, Onsoft, adj. (adv.). [ME vnsofte (c1275), vnsoft (Lydgate); Soft adj.] adj. Harsh; rough; severe. adv. Heavily; with harsh or severe effect. —adj. c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace x 332.
Quham euir he hyt, thair sawchnyng was wnsoft 15.. Clariodus i 728.
Of armit men the meiting was unsoft —(b) 1513 Doug. ii ii 96.
From thar passage the north wynd onsoft [Ruddim. vnsoft] Held thame abak —adv. a1568 Bannatyne MS 26b/53.
And quhen he list the dominatioun Of warldlie pomp to fallin full vnsoft
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"Unsoft adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 29 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/unsoft>
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