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: 1513-1618
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Unexpert, -part, adj. Also: onexpert. [Late ME and e.m.E. vnexperte (a1425); Expert adj.] a. Lacking expertise, inexperienced, unskilled, incapable. = Inexpert adj. b. Lacking knowledge, ignorant, unschooled (in something). c. Of a thing: Not yet experienced, untried. —a. 1513 Doug. xii. v. 14.
Amyd the ostis this wys dyd scho thryng Not onexpert to convoy sik a thing 1549 Complaynte of Scotland 159/17.
Ane onexpert master of ane schip 1551 Glasgow Masons 4.
Craftsmen … of perfite cunyng and knowlege, are put to pouyrtie and to utir rewynge throw wanting of ordeure and trying of the fults of unexpart craftsmen a1578 Pitsc. (1728) 192.
They had been unexpert warriours, who had not mounted their ordnance … in that manner a1595 Descr. Isles 431.
They are but a poor barbarous people unexpert that dwellis in it [sc. St. Kilda] —b. 1618 Rec. Convention of Royal Burghs III 56.
The … commissioners of burrowis finding ane grit manie of the borrowis to send thair commissioners … altogidder vnexpert in their tounes effaires —c. 1533 Bell. Livy II 17/24.
The pepill be thare first secessioun to the sacrate montane reft that new and inexpert [B. vnexpart] auctorite fra oure predecessouris
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"Unexpert adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/unexpert>
