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.
Unhonestly, adv. Also: unhonestlye, -lie, -honnestlie, wnhonestly, onhonestl(i)e. [ME and e.m.E. unhonestly (Wyclif); Honestly adv.]
1. Dishonourably; wickedly, maliciously. = Dishonestly adv.(a) c1420 Wynt. iv 1312.
Thaire messyngere dyssatwysly Thai defoulyde wnhonestly c1420 Wynt. vii 80 (W).
That were na worschip sickerly, Bot murthrissing vnhonestly [R., C. wnhonestly] 1571 Bann. Memor. 142 (see Unhonest adj. 2 (a)).
Unhonestlie a1578 Pitsc. (1814) 307.
His enemies cam vpoun him and slew and murthered him verrie vnhonestlie 1586 Reg. Privy C. IV 67.
Unhonnestlie(b) 1557 Inverness Rec. I 13.
The said Johne Grant sall nocht onlefulle or onhonestle hef hym self to his said spous in tyme cuming 1626 Garden Worthies 112.
A man … onhonestlie betrai'd and slaine by his sisters sone
2. Dishonestly, deceitfully.There is some overlap between senses 1 and 2.1529 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 102.
We ordand that na flech be maingit nor flauchit out unhonestly 1555 Edinb. B. Rec. II 216.
This burgh … hes bene gretumlie defraudit and abusit be the ressauyng burgessis outlandis men … vsand thame self sua vnhonestlie that the haill towne hes bene eschamyit thairby 1569–70 6th Rep. Hist. MSS App. 650/1.
Utheris, quhay trulye hes done bayth ingraitlye and vnhonestlye vnto you 1582 Douglas Corr. 179 (see Unhonesté n.).
Unhonestlie 1591 Crim. Trials I ii 266.
His hienes awin hors … quhilk wes vnhonnestlie tane away be James Gray sone
3. Immodestly, lewdly.1533 Gau 16/13.
Thay that handlis thayme selff or oders onhonestlie quhairthrow thay … thinkkis lichorus thochttis 1603 Dundonald Par. Rec. 38.
Adam Wallace … to haif struglit vnhonestlie with Agnes Craig
