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: 1420-1697
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Unkindly, -lie, adj. Also: unkindli, -kynd(e)ly, -(e)lie, wnkyndly, -lie, onkindlie, -kyndly, -lie, -le. [ME and e.m.E. vnkind(e)li (both Cursor M.), vnkyndly (c1400), vnkyndely (1418), unkindely (a1450), unkindly (a1500), unkyndle (15th c.); Kindly adj.]
1. That is not in accordance with the natural order of things, unnatural. Also proverb.(a) c1420 Wynt. iv 1942.
Fra thai be growyn in welth and welle And till wnkyndly [C., W. vnkyndly] slepand seile Till maistry or till mykyll mycht 1456 Hay II 123/29.
For the remaynis … genderis unkyndely hete in the lyver quhen it lyis lang thare 1533 Boece 295b.
It is ȝoure parte to remove fra ȝoure hartis vnkyndelie fere and abasitnes 1644 Shetland Witch Trial in Hibbert Shetland Islands 594.
Ye, by your devilish art of witchcraft, did cast sickness upon the said Janet, who … fell in an extraordinary and unkindly sickness, and lay eight weeks, taking her shours and pains by fitsproverb. a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 867.
It is unkyndlie to sie the gusepan abone the roste a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 960.
It is unkyndlie to see ane auld horse rin away with the harrow[es](b) 1456–70 Acts XII 27/1.
Thynkand it onkyndle tyll thole ane nominatioun of lardschipe of sic ane man
b. That ignores or infringes the natural ties of kinship; unfilial.1513 Doug. vi xiv 33.
Hys awin sonnys, movyng onkyndly [Sm., Ruddim. vnkyndlie] wer 1533 Boece 44b.
Ane vnkyndely bargane amang freyndis quhilk war … cousingis gude faderis and gude sonnys c1584 Maxwell Mem. II 155.
Ȝowr [sc. his uncle's] onkyndle parsewin me schawis that ȝe wald newir mester me nor my frindis
c. ? Not native, not belonging to one's kin or ? ignoble in behaviour.1560 Rolland Seven Sages 733.
It is ane plaigue … Ane realme to be destitute of ane natiue air Quhair kynd captans haldis court na caus is of cair … Be the contrair … Vnkyndlie captanes ouirthrawis And commoun welth doun drawis
2. Of physical conditions, weather, etc.: Characterised by harshness and severity; bleak, inclement.1535 Stewart 43902.
In wynter … In frost and snaw with … Hungar and cald and wnkyndlie distres 1655 Brodie Diary 126.
4, 5, 6 of … Apryll wer bitter rogh cold days, and the season was unkindli and uncouth 1697 Annandale Corr. 129.
Heare is the severest, coldest, unkindliest season that ever hes been seen
b. Of soil: Unfavourable to growth.a1684 Leighton Wks. (1835) I 109.
A tender plant in a strange unkindly soil
c. Of a substance: Harmful, injurious.1570 Leslie 166.
It wes brutit … that the king … wes vexit be some unkindly medicine
d. Of events or behaviour: Cruel, harsh.1626 Garden Worthies 121.
Long with the jaw's of nightbour jarrs I justed, And in a warrs onkindlie wau's was volv'd 1631 Strathbogie Presb. 2.
Being accused for not communicating the last yeer bygane, ther answer wes, that Mr. Henrie Ross, ther minister, his onkyndlie vsage of thame, haid scarred thame
3. Of a tenant: That does not possess a prescriptive right to a tenancy or tack. Only ellipt.1641 Glasg. Univ. Mun. I 283.
Entress of a kyndlie tennent ordinarlie tuentie pundis: of ane unkyndlie, double or triple thairof
