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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.

Unworthily, -ie, adv. Also: -worthely, -ie, -uorthelie, -wourthelie, -wordily, wnworthely, -ie, -wordelie, onworthely, -vorthely, -uorthilie. [ME and e.m.E. vnwurthþeliche (c1290), vnworthily (Rolle), unworthely (Gower); Worthely adv.]

1. In an unworthy or unbefitting manner; improperly; wrongly. b. specif. Of receiving the sacrament of the Eucharist or Communion.(a) 1456 Hay II 42/33.
Sa may nocht knychtis be maid, bot first the makare be possessit of his gift, and of his ordre: for gif ony lord wald … unworthily geve it othir wayis na the ordre requeris, he dois grete dishonour to the ordre 1456 Hay II 82/18.
A prince … for … vicious and lusty delytis destroyand his awin gudis unworthily 1490 Irland Mir. III 84/11.
Thocht the kyrkmen oftymis syn wnworthely tretand and ministrand thir haly sacramentis a1508 Kennedy Pass. Christ 268.
Judas … wrocht rycht vnworthely That Him nocht warnit of ewill nacioun 1533 Bell. Livy I 198/27.
For he thocht thir landis vnwourthelie [B. wnvorthe] possedit be private men a1578 Pitsc. I 142/9.
This iniurie quhilk is maist of all wiolating and breaking maist wnworthelie the solempt aith and faithfull promise … to me 1623 Kinghorn Kirk S. 22.
Johne Blak … was rebukit … for suffering his barne to go so unuorthelie throw the town as he dois(b) a1578 Pitsc. I 191/23.
Richard … onvorthilie had vsurpat the crown of Inglandb. 1559 Statut. Sc. Ch. 190.
And ye ressaue the samyn vnworthelie, it wyll be to your damnatioun 1562-3 Winȝet I 86/10.
Vnuorthelie 1567 G. Ball. 17.
Quha will ressaif this sacrament, Suld haif trew faith, and sin repent, Quha vsis it vnworthilie Ressauis deide eternallie(b) a1561 Q. Kennedy Breif Tract. (ed.) 113/15.
Quhasumeuer sal eit of this breid and drink of this cwpe onvorthely, he salbe gilty of the body and bluid of Our Lord a1561 Q. Kennedy Breif Tract. (ed.) 114/20.
Onworthely(c) a1538 Abell 65b.
Lotheir the impriouris brodir … come to Rome and purgit him falslie. He syne resauit Christ with his nobillis wnwordelie tharfore thai deit all inwith ane ȝere

2. Without being at fault; undeservedly. 1668 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. II 393.
Thomas Dumbar … is most heartily sory that he wes in the company quher his said brother-in-law wes grievouslie and unwordily woundit