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: 1420-1460, 1520-1540
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Uncun(n)and, ppl. adj. Also: wncunand, unconnand, -cunnyng. [ME vnkonand (Manning), unkunand (Rolle), unconnande (c1400); Cunnand (ppl.) adj.] Lacking in knowledge or skill; ignorant, stupid.(a) c1420 Ratis Raving 1687.
The sevynt eild … Fra that fourscore of ȝeris be past … It changis kindly cours twrnand To latis ȝong & wncunand c1460 Thewis Wysmen 310.
Men may ken Quha wys ar, quha vncunand men … be thar … Speking [etc.] c1460 Thewis Wysmen 401.
[Fools] ar vncunand in thar play And wald be forborn alway 1460 Hay Alex. 12520.
For men callit ȝow cuvatus but ressoun … Vncunnand gredy fyry and savage c1530-40 Stewart in Bann. MS 140b/34.
Vncunnand catyvis curst crobbis(b) 1456 Hay I 222/4.
Menand that quhasa did the contrair he war ungentill, uncurtas, and unconnand(c) c1520-c1535 Nisbet Heb. v 2.
The quhilk [sc. bishops] may togiddir sorow with thame, that ar vncunnyng [W. vnknowen, P. vnkunnynge] and erris
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"Uncunand ppl. adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/uncunnand>
