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: 1500-1599
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Unmerciful(l, adj., adv. Also: onmerciful, -cyful, onmersiful. [e.m.E. vnmercyful (Caxton), vnmercifull (a1548), vnmerciful (1582); Mercyful(l adj.]
A. adj. Devoid of mercy; merciless, pitiless: a. Of persons or animals. = Unmerciabill adj. b. transf. Of actions, states of affairs, etc.a. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 178/25.
[Death] that strang unmercifull tyrand Takis one the moderis breist sowkand The bab c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 329 (M) (see Unmerciabill adj.). 1533 Boece 53b.
Wemen in bataill mekill mare vnmerciful than thare husbandis … [who] never had myseracion on thare party vincust 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 36.
Defend sic innocent creaturis … and humanitie fra the crueltie of unmercifull wolffisb. 1531 Bell. Boece I 66.
Suddandly rais ane unmerciful storme 1531 Bell. Boece (M) II 130.
The mair thai see thair subdittis deieckitt in extreme misery, thair vnmercifull fury ragis in mair cruelte 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 31.
Being assurit … that of … kyndnes of blude scho wald not abandoun him to thair vnmercifull mercy 1571 Bann. Memor. 67.
Will ȝe … put a barrell of powder vndir me, rather nor to be damaned in this vnmercifull maner!(b) 1549 Complaynte of Scotland 7/8.
The cause ande occasione of the onmersiful afflictione of the desolat realme of Scotland 1549 Complaynte of Scotland 23/2.
Onmercyful 1593 Aberd. B. Rec. II 82.
The onmerciful murthering of men and bairnis
B. adv. Unmercifully. = Unmercieleslie adv.1599 Aberd. B. Rec. II 203.
That he had vnmercifull dung and demanit the said Mariorie Wod his spous
