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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Inop(p)ortune, adj. Also: inoportone, -toyn, inopportoun; inopertune. [Late L. inopportūnus. App. not in English before the 17th c. (1649).] Inopportune; untimely, unseasonable. But freq. confused with, or taken as, Importun(e adj. (importunate). In both passages of the Æneid the Latin word is importunus.(a) 1513 Doug. xi. vii. 24.
We move … Ane weir inoportune [1553, inportune], quhilk is onganand Ib. xii. xiii. 172.
[The owl] syngis a sorowfull toyn … with serykis inoportoyn [Sm., 1553, -tone] 1531 Reg. Privy S. II. 109/2.
That thai be nocht hurt tharthrow be circumventioun nor inoportune asking of utheris 1533 Bell. Livy I. 60/16.
Pas now with thi inoportune lufe to thi husband Ib. II. 143/8.
Sic inoportune and cruell seruitude ... was nocht commandit to ws during the empire of kingis 1535 Stewart 158.
Madame, I said, ȝe ar inoportune, And sen alway that ȝe will haif it done [etc.] 1560 Rolland Seven S. 2402.
I persaue this is done All for invy, and ȝe ar inoportune 1586 Reg. Privy C. IV. 74.
The inoportune and untymouns sutes of divers personis 1600 Ib. VI. 147.
Considering how that his Heynes hes bene … impascheit … be inoportnne sutearis(b) (a1570-86 Dunb.) Maitl. F. lxviii. 43.
On ȝour hienes followis eik … Inopportoun askaris of Yrland kynd 1588 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 46.
Becaus I luik for your commissionis heircumming I superseid to be inopportune thairintill(c) 1531 Bell. Boece I. 85.
He wes so faschit be inopertune solicitation of his nobillis … that he wes constranit to desist Ib. 144.
Detestand the inopertune seditioun rising amang the Pichtis