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.
Uncivil(l, adj. Also: uncivile, -veill, -ciwill. [e.m.E. uncivill (1553), vnciuile (1572); Civil(l adj.]
1. Improper, impolite, uncouth, vulgar.1598 James VI Basil. Doron 168/4.
In … youre meate eating be nather unciuill lyke a grosse cinike, nor affectatlie mignarde lyke a dentie dame 1604 James VI Tobacco 98/3.
Not onely meate time, but no other time nor action is exempted from the publike vse of this vnciuill tricke [sc. smoking] 1610 Bk. Univ. Kirk III 1101.
It is vncivill that laws and constitutiouns … being anes establischit and in force … sould be … callit in questioun by any person c1620 Sutherland Bk. II 359.
Purge your countrey peice and peice from that vnciwill kynd of cloithes, such as plaids, mantels, truses, and blew bonnets 1646 Soc. Ant. IV 483.
Helen Smith … was reported to have had ane unrulie and uncivill house 1667 Dumbarton B. Rec. App. i 7.
He never did provock her to uncleanes in the least kynd, and had no uncivil carriage with hir 1670 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS 15 Oct.
To … confes his misdemeanour and vncivill speaches in face of counsel 1694 Boharm Kirk S. 29 April.
James Goodbrand … confessed … his uncivile behaviour and unmannerly deportment 16… Beale in Sc. Geneal. II 10.
All unciveill gesture as skarting of heid, armes etc.
2. In an underdeveloped state; rude, primitive.1632 Lithgow Trav. x 433.
Bad and unciuill husbandry in Ireland
