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.
Unbind, -bynd, v. Also: wnbynd. P.t. unband. P.p. unboundin, -bundin(e, unb(o)und. [ME and e.m.E. unbind (c1200), vnbynde (Wyclif); Bind v.] tr.
1. To undo bonds, bindings or ties, untie; set free. Also absol.pres. c1520-c1535 Nisbet Mark xi 5.
Quhat do ye, vnbindand (or lowsand) [W. vnbyndinge, P. vntiynge] the colt?p.t. c1520-c1535 Nisbet Acts xxii 30.
And the tribune dred, eftir that he wist, that he was a citizene of Rome, and for he had bundin him. Bot in the day following he wald wit mare diligentlie, … and vnband himp.p. 1375 Barb. (1571) x 382 (see Unbandounit p.p.).
Unboundin a1400 Leg. S. xlvii 49.
Vnbundine [he] gert hir cum thare Ymang thame that bundyn var sarabsol. 1683 Reid Sc. Gard'ner (1907) 71.
Set the graff on the west-side … Unbind when you find their bands harme them
b. fig.a1497, 15.. Gray MS iv 34.
To by thi saule my blude I sched, And band my self thé til vnbynd c1520-c1535 Nisbet Matth. xvi 19.
Quhat euir thou sal vnbind on erde salbe vnbundin [P. vnbynde … vnbounden] alsa in heuenis c1590 Fowler I 43/181.
My hart from these words was not vnbound nor losed
c. p.p. Not constrained or fettered (with something). Only fig.a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 1040.
Wes I neuer yit defoullit, Nor fylit in fame, Nor nane of my eldaris … Bot ilk berne hes bene vnbundin with blame
2. fig. To undo, untie (a bond or agreement).c1420 Ratis R. 1067.
Gyf thai twa frendis can nocht find That scho may syk a band [sc. as that of marriage] wnbynd, I pray thé, reul thé as thai red
3. To prise loose, detach.c1520-c1535 Nisbet Ephes. ii 14.
He is oure pece, that made baith aan, and vnbindand [W. vnbyndinge, P. vnbyndynge; L. solvens] the myddill wall of a wall without morter, enimyteis in his flesch
4. p.p. Of books: Not provided with a binding or cover.1565 Soc. Ant. VII 450.
Thir psalmis and canticles lyand besyde me … thir mony ȝeiris unbund, for layke of the kynges armis drawing be Maister Jhone Geddy 1579 Dickson & Edmond Ann. Sc. Printing 303.
[1,372] psalmes of prois, unbund 1580 Edinb. Test. VIII 109.
Certane bukes bund & unbund, sik as ane dictionar in Latyne & Inglis 1592–3 Edinb. B. Rec. V 80.
Buiks … quhilk thai … sellis in smallis alsweill bund as unbund 1622-6 Bisset I 73/1.
The saidis actis imprentted be the said Lekprevick, war coft fra him in albis, unbund
