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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.

Uncle, n. Also: uncill, -cul, un(c)kle, un(c)kill, unkel, un(c)kell, unkyll, unkll, unqil(l, wncle, wn(c)kill, wnkyll, wn(c)kle, wnckell, wankall. [ME and e.m.E. vncle (c1290), unkel (Trevisa), uncull (1415), unkill (1451), unckle (1584), OF uncle, L. avunculus mother's brother.] An uncle, the brother of one's mother or father. = Oncle n.(a) 1481 Acts II 138/1.
Anent the takin … of the castel of Edinburgh be his vnclis 1492 Misc. Bann. C. II 145.
Modrac the sister sone of … King Arthur … gadderit sic nomber of folkis that he gaif a feild till his vnkle 1515 Williamson in Doug. (Sm.) I p. xxii.
Wher can the quene and hyr childryn be so sure as with the noble kyng off Ynglond, hir brother and ther derest vnkyll 1528 James V in Lynd. (STS) IV 252.
Uncle 1535 Stewart 27225.
Conranus bruther, … Vnkill also wes to this ilk Ewgene 1537 Reg. Privy S. II 344/2.
To pas in oure ambassiate and service to oure derrest unckle the king of Ingland a1578 Pitsc. I 342/21.
Vnckill 1622-6 Bisset II 166/19.
Uncill 1631–40 Breadalbane Lett. No. 471.
Rycht honorabill sir and loving vncul 1648 Fam. Innes 238.
I pray yow neglect not to write to your unqil Peeter who is my inteir freind 1653 Hossack Kirkwall 254.
In your unkll Jhon his name 1657 Balfour Ann. I 6.
Vnckell 1662 Edinb. Test. LXX 255b.
John Biggar my vnckle on the mother syde 1666 Sutherland Bk. II 186.
Unkell 1674 Fam. Innes 249.
This Juda Narne had twae sons who went to Holland to ther unqill and ar thair riche men 1679 Cunningham Diary 111.
To my uncle Richard's children at Irwin 1693 Argyle P. 62.
He loves you best of all his unkels(b) c1475 Wall. i 152.
His wncle … In Gowry duelt, and had gud lewyng thar c1475 Wall. vii 390.
My wnclis dede now sall be sauld full der 1534 St. P. Henry VIII IV 667.
Wnkyll 1581 Misc. Spald. C. II 112.
Your ald wnckill at powar Merscheall c1615 Chron. Kings 23.
His wnckle Crathlintus 1618 Sutherland Bk. II 136.
Wnkill 1633 Acts V 25/2.
His Majestie … revokes … the pensioun to the Duke of Lennox his vmquhyle father or wnkle 1657 Balfour Ann. I 3.
Wnckell 1681 Stirlings of Keir 520.
Nether prejudge his wnkill nor me(c) c1720 Red Bk. Grandtully II 308.
Wankall