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.
Uncumly, -comely, adj., adv. Also: uncum(e)lie, -cwmlie, -com(e)lie, wncomlie. [ME and e.m.E. uncumelich (c1230), vn-comely (Piers Plowman); Cumly adj., Cumly adv.]
A. adj. 1. Not morally attractive; improper, unseemly; deplorable, reprehensible.(a) a1570-86 Maitl. F. 287/58.
Gif ȝe be wyis and weill in verteu versit Cwnning thai call vncwmlie for ȝour kynd And sayis it is bot slychtis ȝe haue seirsit a1578 Pitsc. I 124/19.
Sic vncumlie [B. cruell] weir and dissentioun rang in Scottland [that] the king of Ingland … commandit … incursiounis to be maid 1581 Reg. Privy C. III 400.
Licht wemen, uncumly, and indecent in thair maners 1584 Reg. Privy C. III 645.
Upoun sum uncumlie and seditious purposes utterit be him 1589 Reg. Privy C. IV 369.
Uncumelie 1590 Crail B. Ct. 3 Nov.
Vncumlie gameis and vnlesum pastymeis sic as dansing fidling pypeing throw the town [etc.](b) a1578 Pitsc. I 95/17.
They gaif the king wncomlie wordis [B. werie uncouthe, I. verrie contimelius] sayand they sould never obey nor ken him againe as ane king or prence 1587 Perth Kirk S. in Spottiswoode Misc. II 260.
Bessie Glas, … divers times called in before us for … speaking indecent and uncomely language 1590 Edinb. B. Rec. V 18.
At the desyre of the Kirk, ordanis the baillies to discharge Thomas Murray of convocatioun of the bairnis and passing throw the toun with thame, as ane thing uncomelie in ane reformit toun 1594 Edinb. B. Rec. V 121.
Fynds it an uncomelie thing that the magestrats … repayres nocht to the touns loft in the hie kirk the tymes of the sermones 1604 Elgin Rec. II 115.
Tyberius Winchester accusit … for uttering uncomlie speaches 1611 Reg. Privy C. IX 174.
What impressioun it will mak … whenas thay see his majestie importuned and fasheit, and his royall courte filled, with suche nomberis of idill suitaris and uncomelie people 1632 McPherson Prim. Beliefs 119.
[He is fined by the Session for his] uncomely behaviour in the kirk after a marriage in pressing to be the first … at the door
2. Not attractive in appearance, unsightly.1593 Lennox Mun. 463.
We vndersubscrivand considering how we ar abusit be counterfaitt pasimentis of gold, silver and silk sett vpoun our clething oftymes without our knawlege and directioun, quhilk shortly becummis sa vncumly and vnhonest that the coist is loissit … have … interdytit our selffis from weiring of any clething … begaried … with … pasimentis … quhill the term of Whitsonday [1594]
B. adv. In an unseemly fashion.1624 Elgin Rec. II 183.
My Lord Bischop … inhibetit the women to hald and wear ther plaids about ther heids so uncumly in the kirk the tyme of sermone
