A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1499-1599
[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0]
Kensy, Kensé, n.1 [Origin and precise meaning obscure.] A term of abuse applied to men. — a1500 Tale of the Colkelbie Sow i. 351.
Curris, kenseis and knavis c1500-c1512 Dunb. lx. 16.
Fowll jow jowrdane-hedit jevellis, Cowkin kenseis and culroun kewellis 15.. Christis Kirk 59 (B).
The kensy cleikit to the cavell Bot lord than gif thay luggit a1568 Bannatyne MS 139 b/1.
Fals clatterand kensy kukald knaif
You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Kensy n.1". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/kensy_n_1>
