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: 1442, 1600-1658
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Uncou(th)nes, -nesse, n. Also: unkouthnes, unconess. [Late ME and e.m.E. vncuthnes (1435), vncouthnes (1628).] a. Strangeness, unfamiliarity. b. Coldness of manner; uncommunicativeness, unresponsiveness; hostility. —a. 1600 Criminal Trials II 211.
Stricken in great admiration both of the vncouthnesse of the tale and of the strange and stupide behauiour of the reporter 1638 Johnston Diary I 381.
I was forced to deale with Mr. Henry Rollok to preatch in the kirkyaird, quhilk he did … with ane great motion … quhilk motion was furthered by the verry uncouthnes of the place and way a1658 Durham Comm. Rev. 342.
Warming of affections … to the message … partly from the newnesse and uncouthnesse of the thing; partly, from the lovelinesse and desirablnesse of what is contained in it —b. 1442 Coldingham Priory I 138.
The unkouthnes at is lyke to rys be[twix] Sir Alexander Howme & Sir David Howme about certain office & takys pertenyng to the Hous of Coldynghame ?c1635 Black Bk. Taymouth xx.
Take it not in anay vncounes that I send not back the ansuere of the letter that I got in Edinbruch 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 342.
Our Lord loveth not niceness, and dryness, and unconess in friends 1652 Johnston Diary II 164.
My awen mynd found an uncounesse and deadnesse of my sprite in exercises
