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: 1560, 1679-1688
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Unsonsy, -ie, Unsoncy, adj. [17th c. north. Eng. unsawncy (1683); Sonsy adj.] Capable of causing harm or injury; malign, wicked. = Wansonsie adj. — 1560 Rolland Seven Sages 1546.
The mairch heirof I sall declair The quhilk pertenis to ȝour vnsonsie air 1560 Rolland Seven Sages 2694.
Giue thame the Spanȝe fleis That may serue weill sic ane vnsonsie sanct 1679 J. Somerville Mem. II 318.
[If] it was not possible to keep out the castle, it should be more for his honour to preserve … his souldiers by a tymely retreat then a doubtful capitulatione with ane unsonsie enemie 1686 G. Stuart Joco-Ser. Disc. 6.
They're unsoncy that mells with th' Almighty's anointed 1688 Peebles B. Rec. II 125.
Accused for ryot upon Margaret Wilson … calling her unsonsy loun
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"Unsonsy adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/unsonsy>
