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.
Quotation dates: 1572-1699
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Unability, -ie, n. Also: unabillitie, -abillaty, -habilit(i)e, wnhabilietie, onhabilitie. [Late ME and e.m.E. vnabilite (c1400), vnhabylytee (1509), unability (1617); Unabil(l adj. Cf. Inabilitie n., Inhability(e n. and Inhibilitie n.]
1. Inability, the condition of being unable, through circumstances or legal disqualification (to do something).1572 Protocol Book of A. Lawson 20.
Johnne Carkettillis vnhabilitie to mak lawchtfull renunciatioun of the foirnemmit landis … be reasoun of his convictioun and hoirning1581 Breadalbane Lett. 8 Feb.
Ȝour onhabilitie to haiff trauelit hidder … in respect of the euilnes off the wedder 1605 Dundonald Par. Rec. 76.
Incaice of his vnabilitie to pay the vnlav that he stand in the bradȝens lokit 1651 Acts VI (1819) 591/2.
The vnabillaty [of the country] to beare the great burthingis vpon it
2. Lack of requisite skills or qualifications; incompetence, unsuitability (to do something).1589 Lothian and Tweeddale Synod 7.
The evill enterie of Lucas Sonsie to the personage of Caringtoun and his unhabilitie to discharge the office of the ministrie 1699 Hibbert P. No. 23.
I wald faine meit with ȝow that I mycht shaw ȝow the vnabilitie of ȝour tenentis heir. I will be forceit to give ouer ȝour land for ther ar nane of thaim able for it
3. Something which disqualifies or incapacitates (a person). Cf. Inabilitie n.1579 Edinburgh Testaments VII 128b.
And failȝeing of the said Alexander be deceis or ony vther vnhabilitie I nominat [etc.]
4. Physical incapacity, infirmity.a1578 Pitsc. I 47/1.
He punischt [thieves and murderers] nocht for he thocht ewer to haue excussit him self for his grownes and wnhabilietie 1587 Edinburgh Testaments XVII 239.
He … ordaines James his eldest sone be ressoun of his vnhabilite to remane in the hous & tak his meit and claythtis for his lyftyme and labour as he may 1596 Bk. Dunvegan 74.
Traisting ȝe will consider my unability nowe becaus I am growyne auld may not travail far of on fute 1661 Sutherland Bk. II 183.
By reson of my unability of body 1676 Dunbar Social Life I 293 (see Unabil(l adj. 5 a). 1680 Scots in Poland 126.
Ane charitable portion shall be … collected to thee [sic] maintenance of Thomas Argyll … according ane petition from him by reasone of his unabillitie
