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: 1420-1644, 1700
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Unfaithful(l, adj. Also: unfaythful(l, -fathfull, wnfaithfull, -faythful(l, onfaithful(l, -faythtful. [ME and e.m.E. vnfeithful (Wyclif), vnfaithfull (c1400), unfaythfull (1530); Faithful(l adj.]
1. Not of the Christian faith; infidel. Also absol.1456 Hay I 106/1.
Thai landis that the unfaithfull men haldis … the Pape has power … apon thame that … thai do na gref na injuris to the Cristyn folk c1520-c1535 Nisbet 1 Tim. v 8.
Gif ony man has nocht cure of his awne and maast of his houshald men he has denyit the faith, and is werse than ane vnfaithfullman [P. vnfeithful men] 1535 Stewart II 160 heading.
The bischop … repreuit Wortigerne that put his wyfe away and tuke ane vnfaythfull woman 1562-3 Winȝet I 82 marg.
[1 Cor. 7] Thair it is writin the vnfaythful man to be sanctifiit be the faythful womanabsol. 1533 Gau 72/32.
And he sal giff to the onfaithful the euerlestand deid
b. Lax in religious faith or practice; apostate.c1420 Wynt. vii 1408.
Kyng Henry Off Ingland wrat … Till the Pape … And … sayd … That the pepill of Ireland Wnfaythfull [C. Wnfaythful, W. Vnfaithfull] wes and mystrowand
c. Not in accord with the Christian faith, irreligious.1549 Complaynte of Scotland 22/28, 34.
Mony ignorant pepil hes confermit ane ymaginet onfaythtful opinione in ther hede, sayand that [the defeat at Pinkie] … procedit fra the maltalent of Dame Fortoune, the quhilk ymaginet opinione suld be detestit; for fortune is … bot ane vane consait ymaginet in the hartis of onfaythtful men
2. Lacking in good faith; unreliable, untrustworthy; dishonest, treacherous. a. Of persons. b. transf. Of actions or behaviour.a. 1513 Doug. iv vi 49.
With dissymulance wenyt thou, onfaithfull [Sm. wnfaithfull, Ruddim. vnfaithful] wight Thou mycht haue hyd fra me sa fals a slycht 1546 State P. (Reg. H.) No. 42.
To be repute … vnfaithfull and infamyt gyf I brek this my band of manrent 1560 Rolland Seven Sages 1178.
Was neuer woman … Sa cruellie drest with ane vnfaithfull man 1567 Reg. Morton I 30.
The ewill handilling of our souerane lady be certane of hir wnfaythfull and desaitful subiectis 1605-6 Welsh Forty-eight Serm. 356.
He that is unfaithful in the least he is also unfaithful in the meikle 1644 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 402.
We should prove both unthankfull to God, and unfathfull to men did we not … comfort you with the consolations wherewith wee our selves have been comforted 1700 J. M. Beale Fife Schools 256.
So unsafe was he unto them and so unfaithful in all his trust that they could bear him no longerb. 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 1698.
I micht behald in that mirrour … The greit inuy, couetous dowbilnes, Tuitchand warldlie vnfaithfull [L. onfaithful] brukilnes 1549 Complaynte of Scotland 94/30.
The onfaithful cruel act that kyng Henry the aucht vsit contrar Yrland and Valis quhen he becam ther superiors 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 27.
The king having … persavit his unfaythfull dealing evir disfauourit him
3. Not faithful in marriage, adulterous.c1520-c1535 Nisbet 1 Cor. vii 13.
Gif ony woman has ane vnfaithfull [P. vnfeithful] husbande, and this consentis to duelle with hir, leue scho nocht the husband 1560 Rolland Seven Sages 10660.
To ȝour grace vnfaithfull scho hes bene Of hir bodie, not gydand like ane quene
