Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Vici(o)usnes, Vitiousnes(s, n. Also: viceousnes. [Late ME viciousness (1440), vycyowsnesse (Prompt. Parv.), viciousnes (1509), vitiousnesse (1561).] a. Inclination to vice, wickedness. b. Unlawfulness, illegality.a. 1561–2 Knox VI 137.
I fynde yt nether done for zeale to Chryste's religion, nor hatred to the viciusnes of theire lyves that had yt a1605 Montg. Flyt. 639 (T).
Ane claverand cohubie that crakis of the farie; Quhois favourles phisnome dois dewlie declair His vyces and viceousnes 1596 Dalr. I 151/17.
This king … led his lyfe in al vitiousnes and voluptuous lyueng 1596 Dalr. II 30/23.
Dauid … gaue him selfe to al vitiousnes, lust, licherie, and al fleslie plesurisb. 1561 Reg. Privy C. I 174.
Quhilk qualificatioun of viciousnes knawin to me apparandlie, the actouris dar nocht, lyke as thai may nocht gudlie allege to infer me in mala fide, be ressone thai knaw … the contrair 1627 M. P. Brown Suppl. Decis. I 138.
And as for the vitiousness of her possession, there was an ordinary action to help it, to pursue her for intrusion