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.
Quotation dates: 1499-1586
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Inconstance, n. [ME. (c 1386) and OF. inconstance, L. inconstantia. Cf. Inconstancie,n.] Inconstancy, uncertainty. a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 223.
In her face semit greit variance, Quhyles perfyte treuth, and quhyles inconstance c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlv. 6.
Luve … Quhilk is begun with inconstance, And endis nocht but variance 1533 Bell. Livy I. 216/31.
Be natural inconstance and lichtnes of thare myndis, thai wer sone eftir penitent 1549 Complaynte of Scotland 30/24.
That terme ȝouthed suld be undirstandin for ignorance and inconstance a1570-86 Maitland Folio MS cli. 39.
Go follow thame quha will inconstance leir
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"Inconstance n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/inconstance>
