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.
Unstabilnes, Wnstabilnes, n. [ME and e.m.E. unstabelnes (Rolle), vnstablenesse (Chaucer), vnstabilnesse (Trevisa), vnstablenes (1590); Stabilnes n.] Instability, fickleness. = Instabilité n. — a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 568.
Becaus I knaw the greit vnstabilnes, Brukkill as glas, into my self c1520-c1535 Nisbet Rom. vi 19.
I say that thing that is of man, for the vnstabilnes [W. vnstabilnesse, P. vnstidefastnesse] of youre flesch 1560 Rolland Seven S. 7953.
Sentences monyfald Pertening to wemens vnstabilnes a1568 Bann. MS 267b/10.
Sen trewth is nocht in wemen wrocht Bot fals vnstabilnes a1578 Pitsc. I 59/29.
Alexander … maid ane singular goode wriesone deplorand the mutabilietie and wnstabillnes of fortune
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"Unstabilnes n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 23 Apr 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/unstabilnes>
