Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

Ungracious, -grati(o)us, adj. [ME and e.m.E. vngraciuse (Ancr. R.), ungracious (Manning), vngratious (1579); Gracious(e adj.]

1. Devoid of grace; reprobate, wicked. 1456 Hay I 150/32.
Sum [soldiers] … ar … ryotous … dronkynsum … stark theef … a grete leare [etc.] … be caus of the misgoverance of sik ane ungracious creature, all a hale company may tak … scathe a1585 Maitl. Q. 184/50.
With thowsandis mo of lordis and lounis Of that vngratious natioun bred 1588 King Cat. 7.
He sufferit villinglie be vngratius personnis the extremest and bitterest painnis that mycht be 1596 Dalr. I 101/17.
Quha ance brek his faith nathing is thocht mair vngracious than he

2. Rude, uncouth. c1500 Crying of Play 164.
Vale to me a mekle wyf. A gret vngracious gan

3. Unpleasing, unacceptable (to another). a1676 Guthry Mem. 35.
He presently fled away to London … so did also such other of the bishops, as knew themselves to be most ungracious to the people

4. Unpromising, inauspicious. a1585 Maitl. Q. 195/143.
Euill gottin gaine is ane vngratious ground Quhairon to found ane welth