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.
Unworthines, -worthynes(se, -wourthynes, -woorthynes, n. [ME and e.m.E. vnworthynes (Rolle), vnworthinesse (c1400); Worthynes n.] a. Lack of worth or merit; unfitness. b. Wrongness; impropriety. c. An indignity or insult. —a. c1409-1436 Kingis Q. § 109.
It is no mach, of thyne vnworthynesse To hir hie birth 1567 G. Ball. 11.
Behauld nocht my vnworthynes, Bot luke till Christis rychteousnes c1590 Fowler II 153/25.
[A bad king] lossis be his vnworthines and litil wisdome his heritable estate —b. 1558-66 Knox I 222.
The hole toun, yea, the governour and nobilitie commoved at the unwoorthynes of this bold attemptat, craved justice upoun the malefactouris —c. 1533 Bell. Livy I 149/17.
Romane pepill … beand deliuerit of seruitude to be segeit onelie be thai pepill quham thai sa oft afore discomfist … traisting to revenge this vnwourthynes [L. indignitatem] [etc.]
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"Unworthines n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Apr 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/unworthines>
