A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Strangenes, n. Also: -ness, strangnes, strayngenes, straungenesse. [ME and e.m.E. strange-, straungenesse (both Chaucer), strangeness (1607); Strang(e adj.]
1. The quality of being strange; peculiarity.1558-66 Knox I 194.
‘The strangenes, (said the suppriour) of these articles, which ar gaddered furth of your doctrin, have moved us to call for you, to hear your awin answeres’
2. Absence of friendliness; coldness, aloofness (also, to another). Also personified.1473 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV 406.
Forsamekil thar is strayngenes betuix yow and our cousing [etc.] a1500 Prestis of Peblis 812.
Ane stit strangnes betwixt him and his queene 1561 Cal. Sc. P. I 595.
[You write that you found such] strangenes and nycenes [in St. Cosme touching] thentervew [that, etc.] a1568 Bann. MS 143b/16.
Ȝour strangenes sair dois truble me 1650 Discovery of the Sinnes of the Ministers 7.
A strangeness and upkeeping of ourselves from such as fear the Lord 1652 Johnston Diary II 161.
I heard the Inglish comissioners wer gon, wondering at my straungenesse to thempersonified a1500 K. Hart 304.
Dame Chaistetie hir chalmarere bot dout, And Strangenes hir portare can weill scorne c1500-c1512 Dunb. (STS) xlii 18.
Thai had me bundin to the ȝet, Quhair Strangenes had bene portar ay
