A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1659-1687
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Misimproven, p.p. Also: -emproven. [Cf. Misimprove v. and Improvin(e p.p.2] a. Failed to use to good purpose, abused (opportunities). b. Misapplied, put to improper use (moneys etc.). —a. 1659 Maxwell Mem. I. 369.
I finde myselfe to haue consumed idly my tyme, and to have misemproven good oportunities of Christian fellowship and societeb. 1677 Cullen Kirk S. 1 Sept.
Sua that therby the said mortified croft may be demnified & misimproven by these suceeding me in the tenement 1677 Cramond Cullen Annals 59.
Copy … of [a] mortification to two poor people whilk wes misimproven by John Ogilvie … and sold be him in wodset to George Duffes 1687 Shields Hind Let Loose (1797) 793.
[To] pay them when due … even though they should be afterwards abused and misimproven to pernicious ends
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"Misimproven p.p.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/misimproven>
